South Africa`s spin trio of Muthusamy, Harmer, and Subrayen collectively claimed 4 wickets for 248 runs on a Lahore pitch that already displayed signs of turn.
Pakistan 313 for 5 (Imam 93, Masood 76, Rizwan 62*, Agha 52*, Muthusamy 2-101) vs South Africa
Pakistan concluded a strong opening day against World Test Champions South Africa, marked by a formidable 161-run second-wicket partnership between Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood, followed by an unbeaten 114-run sixth-wicket stand involving Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha. All four batsmen notched half-centuries, with Imam falling just seven runs short of his fourth Test hundred.
On a Lahore pitch showing early signs of deterioration by the third session, first-innings runs were crucial. South Africa`s concession of runs was concerning. Despite securing three wickets for no runs around the tea interval, reducing Pakistan from 199 for 2 to 199 for 5, they struggled to contain Pakistan for sustained periods or close out the innings effectively. Four dropped catches further complicated their day.
Acknowledging the challenging and unfamiliar conditions, South Africa opted for an attack featuring three spinners and two seamers, though it notably lacked international experience. The spin trio of Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, and Prenelan Subrayen, who together boast only 16 Test appearances but 422 first-class wickets, bore the brunt of the bowling. They delivered 74 overs, conceding 248 runs for 4 wickets. The grip and turn observed in their deliveries hinted at increasing batting difficulties as the match progresses.
Having chosen to bat, Pakistan faced an immediate setback when Kagiso Rabada`s third delivery struck Abdullah Shafique on the back pad, leading to a successful review by stand-in captain Aiden Markram for the visitors` first wicket. However, South Africa`s celebrations were cut short as Masood quickly hit Rabada for consecutive boundaries. Wiaan Mulder bowled only two overs before South Africa introduced spin, clearly outlining Pakistan`s strategy. Masood immediately asserted dominance, hitting Subrayen for a six straight over his head.
Imam-ul-Haq started strongly, capitalizing on any full or wide deliveries, utilizing his wrists effectively, and playing the ball late to become the dominant partner in his stand with Masood. He reached his fifty off 65 balls, effectively neutralizing the spin threat, especially as Harmer found significant turn and bounce. Imam also survived an lbw appeal from Rabada just before lunch, which Markram reviewed, but the impact was outside the line. Pakistan went into the break at 107 for 1.
Masood brought up his half-century after lunch with a drive off Harmer through mid-on. Despite appearing untroubled until then, South Africa began creating chances. When Masood was on 61, Subrayen enticed him forward, leading to an inside-edge onto his pad. The ball popped up for Tony de Zorzi at short leg, who couldn`t hold on to a one-handed catch diving to his left. In Subrayen`s subsequent over, Imam charged down the pitch and hit the ball aerially towards mid-off, where Mulder initially moved left before having to readjust right, ultimately spilling the chance.
Subrayen eventually got his reward four overs later, trapping Masood lbw with a delivery that beat his inside edge and didn`t turn.
The Pakistan captain`s departure was met with huge cheers, but not for his 76 runs. The home crowd was actually celebrating the arrival of Babar Azam at the crease. However, their excitement quickly turned to silence when Babar was given out caught behind off Muthusamy, whose delivery turned just past his outside edge. Babar immediately reviewed, and with no evidence of an edge on UltraEdge, the decision was overturned. Babar then inside-edged Muthusamy past Kyle Verreynne for his first runs, before finding his rhythm with consecutive boundaries through midwicket, quickly racing to 21 off 22 balls.
Despite Babar`s promising start, South Africa managed to rein him in and strike twice, concluding the middle session on a high. Imam-ul-Haq inside-edged Muthusamy to de Zorzi at short leg. Saud Shakeel then offered South Africa a bonus wicket, popping a leading edge back to the bowler, leaving Muthusamy on a hat-trick at the break. While he didn`t complete the hat-trick, South Africa secured a third wicket just 14 balls after tea when Harmer trapped Babar on the pad. Markram`s review confirmed that ball-tracking showed the delivery hitting leg stump.
Later in the over, Harmer had a strong lbw appeal against Rizwan as the ball ripped and spun sharply, but the impact appeared to be outside the line. Rizwan responded with an aggressive counter-attack, smashing Muthusamy for a six over long-on and Harmer for fours through midwicket and cover. Agha seemed content to hold his end, and was on 8 off 13 balls when he reverse-swept Harmer. The ball deflected off his boots into Verreynne`s hands. Umpires checked for a catch, but one angle revealed the ball had bounced off the bat onto the turf before Verreynne made contact.
The chances continued for South Africa. Rizwan, on 26, edged Muthusamy to Markram at slip, but Markram was unsure if he`d taken a clean catch. Replays indicated the ball died on him and bounced just in front. Shortly after, Rizwan, on 28, was given out lbw to Subrayen, but a review showed the ball was missing leg stump.
Rizwan steadily accumulated runs as South Africa neared the second new ball. Markram bowled an over before its arrival, believing he had Rizwan, on 47, caught at leg slip, but the ball had come off the batter`s arm.
Rizwan reached his fifty with the first delivery of the second new ball, which Rabada shared with Muthusamy. The new ball almost brought a breakthrough when Agha edged Muthusamy, but Verreynne`s initial movement for the catch might have distracted Markram at slip, who subsequently dropped a simple chance.
South Africa`s day grew longer when Rizwan powerfully swept Harmer to short leg. The ball was struck with such force that it injured de Zorzi`s hand as he attempted to hold the catch. Agha reached his fifty shortly after, guiding Pakistan to the close of play with considerable satisfaction.
