Rawalpindi Test: 38-year-old debutant keeps hosts in the match after Keshav Maharaj’s seven-storey Pakistan | Cricket News

In a remarkable display of Test cricket on Tuesday, 38-year-old debutant Asif Afridi claimed two crucial late wickets against South Africa, who finished the second day at 185-4 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Proteas trail Pakistan by 148 runs after Pakistan were dismissed for 333, with South African spinner Keshav Maharaj taking 7-102 on an abrasive wicket.Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on 68 off 184 balls, showing exceptional patience against Pakistan’s spinning attack. He formed a vital 113-run partnership with Tony de Zorzi, who scored 55 before falling to Afridi.Afridi’s debut proved memorable as he first trapped Zorzi’s leg before wicket, successfully overturning the decision on the field thanks to a television review. He then quickly dismissed Dewald Brevis for a duck, with Salman Ali Agha taking a smart catch off the shoulder of the bat.The day began with Pakistan at 259-5, as Saud Shakeel and Agha extended their partnership for the sixth wicket to 70 runs. Shakeel completed his half-century off 118 balls, pushing Maharaj to square leg for two runs.Maharaj, who missed the first Test due to a groin injury, dominated the morning session by taking Pakistan’s last five wickets for just 15 runs. South Africa’s line-up improved significantly from day one, with the team still holding out their chances.Earlier in the South African innings, Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered an impressive maiden spell, dismissing Ryan Rickelton for 14. Captain Aiden Markram scored 32 before being caught at long-on off the bowling of Sajid Khan.Pakistan missed opportunities to dismiss Zorzi and Stubbs earlier in their innings. They failed to look at a potential heavyweight decision against de Zorzi while he was on 5, while Khan was unable to hold on to a return capture from Stubbs.De Zorzi, after his century in the first Test, played more aggressively than his partner, reaching his fifty off 86 balls. Stubbs scored his half-century in style by hitting Khan for a straight six.The morning session saw Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada playing tight lines, although they were unable to break through before Maharaj’s intervention. Maharaj’s crucial spell included the dismissal of Agha, who missed a straight delivery that hit his shin.Maharaj continued his stellar performance by finding the outside edge of Shakeel’s bat, while Markram made up for his fall from the day before by taking the catch. Shaheen Shah Afridi, recently named Pakistan’s ODI captain, was bowled by Maharaj without scoring.

South African bowling figures showed Maharaj’s dominance with 7-102, while Simon Harmer took 2-75 and Rabada finished with 1-60. At stumps, keeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne was not out for 10 alongside Stubbs.The match remains delicately balanced with South Africa still trailing by 148 runs on a pitch which continues to favor spin bowling. The visitors will look to their remaining batsmen to narrow the gap on day three, while Pakistan’s spinners will aim to build on their late success on day two.