third day of Second test between Pakistan and South Africa The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium witnessed a dramatic change of pace as the spectators took over the contest. After Pakistan scored 333 runs in the first innings, South Africa responded strongly with the bat by scoring 404 runs, taking a strong lead of 71 runs.
The day’s proceedings were displayed The patience of Senuran Muthusamy (89 runs off 155 balls) and the patience of Kagiso Rabada. Explosive lower-order attack (71 from 61), which together frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers. In reply, Pakistan suffered a top-order collapse, reading 94/4 at stumps. Babar Azam (49)* Holding the innings in increasingly uncertain conditions. With a paltry lead of just 23 runs, the hosts’ hopes now rest almost entirely on their captain to avoid a second consecutive defeat in the series.
PAK vs SA: Senuran Muthusamy leads South Africa back to form with an inning of 89 runs
Muthusamy’s resilient innings proved to be the cornerstone of South Africa’s remarkable comeback from 210/7 to a challenging score of 404. When his team was in deep trouble, the left-handed batsman displayed composure and textbook defensive technique to blunt Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack. He displayed exceptional shot selection and patience, building important partnerships down the order that took the wind out of the hosts.
Muthusamy added 96 runs for the 9th wicket Keshav Maharaj (30) And later there was a stormy partnership of 98 runs with Rabada, who launched a brilliant counter-attack and hit four sixes and four fours at a strike rate of over 115. Rabada’s fearless strokeplay from both the spinners and seamers turned the situation around, turning a moderate total into a match-decider. For Pakistan, budding Asif Afridi Stand tall with brilliant 6 wickets (6/79) Noman Ali (2/92) provided significant successes. However, an inability to shine the tail once again proved costly as South Africa’s lower order dictated terms in the fading afternoon light of Rawalpindi.
Also read: List of captains of Pakistan in ODI cricket ft Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan
PAK vs SA: Babar Azam takes over after Simon Harmer’s Pakistan second innings collapse
South Africa’s spin pair lead the way simon harmer (3/26) and Rabada (1/22) combined to cause early damage to Pakistan’s second innings. Harmer struck three times in quick succession, demolishing the top order with accuracy and flight, exposing Pakistan’s weakness towards turn. Both the opening batsmen, imam ul haq (9) and Abdullah Shafiq (6), fell cheaply while captain Shan Masood Departed for a duck, trapped in front by Harmer.
Pakistan’s score faltered at 16/3 in the first six overs. Babar’s class and temperament were needed to stabilize the innings. The right-handed batsman looked in good form, hitting brilliant cover drives and wrist flicks to score an unbeaten 49 off 83 balls, but he got little support from the other end. Saud Shakeel (11) added 44 runs with his captain before falling victim to Harmer once again and leaving Babar behind Mohammad Rizwan (16)* To survive the last overs of the day.
As the game ended, Pakistan’s position remained precarious at 94/4, with a lead of only 23 runs, their hopes of saving the match and possibly the series depended entirely on Babar’s resilience. Buoyed by Muthusamy’s all-round impact and the relentless accuracy of their bowlers, South Africa will now look to wrap up the match early on the fourth day to clinch the series in style.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Disappointment for Muthusamy as he was left stranded on 89*, but what a brilliant innings it was. He is really a good all-round cricketer. He may not have bowled much in the first innings, but that didn’t make any difference to his performance with the bat in his hand. That innings was huge for us!#SAvPAK
– Lawrence Bailey πΏπ¦ (@LawrenceBailey0) 22 October 2025
Don’t know why we are comparing Rabada with Lara when we should be comparing him with Senuran Muthusamy, the greatest left-handed batsman of all time.
– Dale (@ncakos316) 22 October 2025
It is important not to lose faith so quickly in one’s ability shown over years of first-class cricket
Muthusamy is doing this for all those who doubted his batting ability https://t.co/9mr442y4zj
– Werner (@Werries_) 22 October 2025
Corbin Bosch, Robin Pietersen, Philander, Simcox and now Muthusamy.
We have seen many such instances where South Africa’s lower order batsmen took away the match.
Pak fans will hope that the outcome will be different in Muthusamy’s case.
– Marshall (@coverpoint_) 22 October 2025
Rabada and Muthusamy played as if they were risking their lives. Completely crazy! This is a very sad thing for Pakistan. 40 year old spinners cannot be trusted all the time. pic.twitter.com/T90ZG0kOHi
– Mindful Punter π (@PunterLost) 22 October 2025
This partnership of Rabada and Muthusamy is memorable pic.twitter.com/mRIrx4bO0i
– RCBIAN Official (@RcbianOfficial) 22 October 2025
South Africa has taken a lead of 71 runs in the first innings. https://t.co/PIOhz8QCiU#PAKvSA #second test #Cricket pic.twitter.com/WIf6Jc43X9
β CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 22 October 2025
The stands are full for just one man, O Babar this country loves you very much. pic.twitter.com/qp421jwKpW
– Ayesha Masroor (@AyeshaMasroor56) 22 October 2025
Babar Azam is without a 50+ score in home Tests since December 2022. Now his team is in deep trouble and it’s a good time to break that drought.#PAKvSA
– Cricblog β (@cric_blog) 22 October 2025
If Babar scores a century in this innings and proves himself to be the savior of Pakistan cricket, then I will never criticize him.
β π. (@was_abdd) 22 October 2025
