My XI for the first test: Imam Shan Kamran Babar Saud Rizwan Agha Sajid Noman Khurram Asif Afridi

If no Sajid, then Asif Afridi, Noman and Abrar for the spin trio would be the way to go.

Mohammad Babar Azam 2022-2025

Rizwan with a classy 50, warra player

Rizwan has shown a masterclass on how to play spin today, targeting all sides of the ground, a very strong sweep, ramp, reverse sweep, as well as consistently using his feet to disrupt the bowler’s line and length. Absolutely fantastic today.

Salman 50 as well, both players have been dominant against spin

Salman and Rizwan have rescued Pakistan from what was looking like a proper collapse on the cards. Pakistan clearly dominating day 1 with 4 50+ scores. Stumps 313-5

Another clutch knock by Rizwan comes to an end, been absolutely phenomenal in tests.

Highest Averages (since 2023) Babar and Abdullah both extremely low despite playing 10+ tests.

Nomi and Sajid will absolutely cook on this pitch

Babar with a stunning one-hander at slip. Agha Ji ne wicket leli and a huge partnership has been broken

South Africa end on 216-6. A slight collapse after a long partnership between De Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton. Noman picking 4 whilst Agha and Sajid with one a piece. Tomorrow’s opening session will set the tone either for South Africa or Pakistan based on how the teams play.

Legend of the game, indirectly Yasir Shah’s replacement and a top notch batsman, drives the ball better than Brian Lara, spins it more the Muralitharan.

5-fer for Nomi Bappa

Naye ball ke saath bhi agar fast bowlers ko nahi dena tu 2 fast bowlers rakhe kyun hai?

Sajid with 3, Nomi with a 6-fer. A lead of 110. Pakistan on top, but if anyone can throw a lead, it’s Pakistan so you never know what this team will actually do in the second innings.

Babar Azam really saw this stat and said i’m gonna give my wicket to the only pacer bowling.

Rizwan and Saud both throwing their wickets, and now we are on the backfoot.

And just like that i called it, started with a lead off 110 but only gave a target of 277. Pakistan has choked yet again and what’s worse is that there was hardly any extraordinary bowling, everyone just throwing away their wickets.

Day 3 SA 51-2 All to play for tomorrow, Pakistan’s collapse today has set South Africa with an easier chase but the target still looks a couple miles away. Nomi with 2 quick wickets bringing Pakistan back but Abdullah’s catch drop on set batsman puts SA in the driver’s seat.