Yasir Shah plucks the wire from South African top-order on day 3 of 1st Test before they offered a fightback
Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen put a significant 127 runs stand on day 3 of 1st Test before Yasir Shah spoiled their show after helping 2 more wickets in the final session.
Pakistan spin duo, Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali picked up three quick wickets with 10 runs in the final overs of session 3 of 1st Test, day 3 at Karachi. South Africa were quite favourites from the start of the day when it looked like South Africa would easily wipe out Pakistan’s 158 runs lead.
Yasir Shah struck twice and Nauman Ali one to leave the visitors on 187-4 at stumps. Night-watchman Keshav Maharaj was unbeaten on 2 and Quinton De Kock is yet to score, South Africa lead by 29 runs with 6 wickets in hand.
Earlier, Pakistan scored a magnificent 378 in response to South Africa’s 220 in the first innings to take a huge lead of 158 runs.
The SA opener, Aiden Markram scored a solid 74 runs for his 8th half-century, built a 127 runs stand alongside Rassie van der Dussen who played a brilliant 64 runs.
But Yasir Shah with the figures of 3-53, changed the scenario by picking up Dussen caught by Muhammad Rizwan in a superb flying effort and then trapped Faf Du Plessis on lbw for 10.
Right after that, Nauman Ali picked up Markram which was caught sensibly by the close-in fielder to trigger three wickets collapse for 33 runs.
Before that Markram was dropped on 27 by Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam who was standing in the slip position off Yasir Shah. He also had a leg-before decision overturned for four.
Dussen also had a leg-before overturned on 56, he hit 5 boundaries in his total score and Markram hit 5.
Yasir and Nauman could prove very dangerous for South Africa on day 4 at National Stadium Karachi, the pitch which produced 14 wickets on day 1, 4 on day 2 and 6 on day 3.
South Africa initiated with great confidence after the start of today’s play, defied Pakistan’s bowling attack and they were 37 for no loss before lunch.
Dean Elgar looked uncomfortable after getting hit by the rising ball from Shaheen Shah Afridi, tried to sweep off the ball of Yasir Shah but a diving catch from Rizwan ended his innings.
In the morning session, Pakistan tail-enders added a crucial 70 runs to their total which annoyed South African bowlers who were looking for quick wickets.
The South African pacer, Kagiso Rabada picked up the wicket of Hassan Ali to achieve the milestone of 200 wickets in the 44 matches of his Test career.
The 25-year-old pacer is the eight African bowlers to pick up 200 Test wickets or more so far.
Pakistan’s innings was about to end on 323-9 but Yasir and Nauman put a significant partnership of 55 runs to increase their lead with an impactful margin.
Yasir Shah who has also scored a Test century in Australia back in 2019, hit one six and four fours for his unbeaten 38 while the debutant Nauman Ali managed to score three boundaries before falling on 24.
The top figures from the South African bowling side were Kagiso Rabada (3-70) and Keshav Maharaj (3-90).
Pakistan Playing XI: Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (C), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Afridi.
South Africa Playing XI: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Rassie Van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (C)(WK), George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.