Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd Test Match, Rawalpindi 2025: A Thrilling Contest
The second Test match between Pakistan and South Africa, played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in October 2025, showcased a gripping battle between two strong Test sides. South Africa toured Pakistan for a series consisting of two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, with the Test series being part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship.
Match Overview and First Innings
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, building a solid foundation on Day 1 reaching 259 for 5 wickets. Key contributions came from Shan Masood, who scored a resilient 87 despite being dropped multiple times by the South African fielders, and Abdullah Shafique, who scored a valuable 57 to steady the innings. Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha remained unbeaten towards the end of Day 1, with scores of 42 and 10 respectively.
On Day 2, Pakistan added more runs to their first innings total, eventually being bowled out for 333. However, the innings saw a dramatic collapse, losing five wickets for just 17 runs. This collapse was orchestrated by South African spinner Keshav Maharaj, who produced a brilliant seven-wicket haul to derail Pakistan's momentum. Maharaj's bowling was the highlight of the day, dismantling Pakistan’s lower order with a mix of spin and guile.
Bowling Highlight
Keshav Maharaj's performance was extraordinary on Day 2. He took all five wickets on the morning session, finishing with seven wickets in the innings. His ability to spin the ball and deceive the batsmen was decisive, triggering Pakistan's sudden collapse after a promising start by Shakeel and Agha. His bowling was complemented by the pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada and the tactical support of Simon Harmer.
South Africa’s Response
By the lunch break on Day 2, South Africa had started their innings cautiously, reaching 9 without loss. Opener Aiden Markram was on 6 runs and Ryan Rickelton on 3. The pitch in Rawalpindi looked favorable to spinners as the match progressed, posing a challenge to the batsmen.
Series Context
This match was the second Test of a two-match series. Pakistan led the series 1-0 going into this game and was looking to seal a 2-0 series victory over South Africa. The world champion South African team was eager to bounce back from the first Test loss on Pakistani soil.
Key Players to Watch
Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique: Anchors for Pakistan's batting lineup, showing resilience against world-class bowling.
Keshav Maharaj: The star bowler for South Africa in this match, whose seven-wicket haul turned the game.
Shaheen Afridi: Pakistan’s pace spearhead, who impressed with tight bowling spells.
Saud Shakeel & Salman Ali Agha: Important contributors in middle and lower-middle order who helped extend the innings before the collapse.
This Test match with intense competition, significant bowling performances, and fluctuating momentum between the two teams is a strong highlight in the Pakistan-South Africa cricket rivalry. Fans witnessed a thrilling Test match full of quality cricket played in tough subcontinent conditions.