RAWALPINDI – Simon Harmer’s masterful six-wicket haul spearheaded a ruthless South African performance as the Proteas stormed to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Pakistan on Day 4 of the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, levelling the two-match series 1–1 and securing their first Test win on Pakistani soil since 2007.
The off-spinner was at his vintage best, claiming 6/50 to bundle Pakistan out for 138 in their second innings before South Africa’s batters raced to their modest 68-run target in just 12.3 overs. The victory not only restored parity in the series but also marked an important step in South Africa’s defence of their World Test Championship crown.
Harmer’s Spell of Class and Milestone Moment
Pakistan began the morning on 94/4, clinging to a slender lead of 23 runs, with home favourite Babar Azam unbeaten on 49. But their hopes evaporated almost instantly. Babar reached his half-century off Harmer’s second ball, but three deliveries later he was trapped leg-before by one that stayed low and spun sharply—a dismissal that silenced the once-raucous home crowd.
From there, Pakistan unravelled. Harmer found sharp turn and bounce, removing Mohammad Rizwan via a sharp bat-pad catch to Tony de Zorzi, before claiming his 1000th first-class wicket in style as Noman Ali edged one to Kyle Verreynne behind the stumps. The moment sparked a roar from Harmer, who became only the fourth South African bowler to reach the remarkable career milestone.
Pakistan’s slide continued with a chaotic run-out of Shaheen Shah Afridi—brilliantly effected by Ryan Rickelton—and two more quick strikes from Keshav Maharaj, who finished with match figures of 9/159 and was later named Player of the Match. Pakistan’s last six wickets tumbled for just 44 runs, leaving South Africa firmly in control.
Clinical Finish from Markram and Rickelton
Set just 68 for victory, South Africa made light work of the chase. Stand-in skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with an attacking 42 off 45 balls, peppering the boundary with sweeps and drives, while Rickelton provided calm support with an unbeaten 25*.
Despite two late wickets for Noman Ali, including Markram and Tristan Stubbs in the same over, Rickelton sealed the win in style with a towering six over long-off—an exclamation point on a commanding performance that underlined South Africa’s dominance on the final day.
Team Effort Defines Series Comeback
Speaking after the match, Markram hailed the victory as a sign of character and collective belief.
“It was a really good response to the loss in Lahore,” he said. “There were moments when we were under pressure, but the guys stood up when it mattered most. Different players contributed at different times, and that’s exactly the kind of environment we want to build on.”
That spirit was embodied throughout the match—most notably in the crucial 98-run last-wicket partnership between Senuran Muthusamy (89*) and Kagiso Rabada (71) in the first innings, which flipped the contest on its head and handed South Africa a vital 71-run lead. Muthusamy’s all-round consistency across both Tests earned him the Player of the Series award.
Series Drawn, Confidence Restored
For Pakistan, the defeat marked their first home loss after winning the toss since their shift to spin-friendly surfaces. Their middle and lower-order collapses across the series once again proved costly.
For the Proteas, however, it was a match that reaffirmed their adaptability, discipline, and depth—qualities that will serve them well as they continue their World Test Championship journey.
Score Summary:
Pakistan: 333 & 138 (Babar 50, Harmer 6/50)
South Africa: 404 (Muthusamy 89*, Stubbs 76, Rabada 71, Asif 6/79) & 73/2 (Markram 42, Rickelton 25*)
Result: South Africa won by 8 wickets
Series: Drawn 1–1
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