Lahore, Pakistan — South Africa will need every ounce of discipline and belief on Wednesday as they chase 277 runs for victory on a sharply deteriorating surface in Lahore — a task that would rank among their greatest overseas escapes.
At stumps on Day 3 of the first Test, the Proteas were 51 for 2, still 226 runs away from an improbable win after a whirlwind day in which 16 wickets fell, all but one to spin. Tony de Zorzi (29)* and Ryan Rickelton (29)* steadied the innings with an unbroken stand of 33 after early blows had left South Africa wobbling.
De Zorzi Leads the Fight
Earlier, the left-handed De Zorzi had anchored South Africa’s first innings with a superb 104 off 171 balls, his second Test century and second in the subcontinent. He combined resilience with intent, striking 10 fours and two sixes before falling to left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who completed a fine 6-for-112 as the visitors were bowled out for 269.
De Zorzi’s hundred was one of the few innings that stood tall against a relentless Pakistani spin attack that found sharp turn and uneven bounce throughout the day. “A partnership on this wicket is gold,” De Zorzi reflected afterward. “Ryan and I complement each other well, and we’ll give it our best on day four.”
Muthusamy’s Heroics Keep Hope Alive
If De Zorzi provided the backbone with the bat, Senuran Muthusamy gave South Africa belief with the ball. The left-arm spinner claimed 5-57 in the second innings, adding to his 6-117 in the first, for remarkable match figures of 11-174 — the fourth-best by a South African spinner in Test history.
His persistence dragged Pakistan back from a position of dominance after Abdullah Shafique (41) and Babar Azam (42) had guided the hosts to 119 for 3. From there, Pakistan collapsed to 167 all out, losing 7 for 48 as Muthusamy and Simon Harmer (4-51) ripped through the middle and lower order.
The collapse trimmed Pakistan’s advantage to 277, leaving a sliver of opportunity for the Proteas.
Spin Bites Back in the Fourth Innings
That faint hope was quickly tested when Aiden Markram (3) was bowled by Noman Ali and Wiaan Mulder edged the same bowler to slip without scoring. But De Zorzi and Rickelton’s calm response in the fading light steadied the innings, showing the composure South Africa will desperately need on the fourth day.
The Gaddafi Stadium surface has become a minefield of low bounce and sharp turn, with even defensive strokes fraught with risk. Yet, despite the conditions, South Africa’s dressing room remained upbeat. “We prepared for this,” said De Zorzi. “We know runs will come from partnerships, and if one or two of us can bat long, anything is possible.”
All to Play For
With two full days remaining and the pitch continuing to unravel, the odds are heavily stacked against the visitors. Pakistan’s spinners — Noman and Sajid Khan — will resume sensing victory and the chance to end South Africa’s ten-match Test winning streak.
But the Proteas, buoyed by De Zorzi’s form and Muthusamy’s heroics, still hold a sliver of hope. As history has shown, cricket in Lahore often rewards courage as much as skill — and on this surface, that may be South Africa’s greatest weapon of all.
Day 4 equation: South Africa 51/2, need 226 runs to win.
Pakistan require 8 wickets to clinch the Test.
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