Fans go wild as Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada power South Africa to 71-run lead over Pakistan on Day 3 of 2nd Test

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Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada produced a stunning lower-order rescue act to help South Africa post 404 in 119.3 overs, gaining a valuable 71-run first-innings lead over Pakistan by Tea on Day 3 of the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The duo’s partnership transformed South Africa’s innings from despair to dominance after they had slumped to 235 for 8 earlier in the day.

Kagiso Rabada’s fearless fifty turns the tide

After Keshav Maharaj’s dismissal for 30, Pakistan looked well on course to bowl South Africa out cheaply. But Rabada walked in with purpose and turned the tables in style. The right-hander batted with a mix of control and aggression, taking calculated risks and punishing loose deliveries with authority.

Rabada went on to register his maiden Test fifty, a knock that will be remembered for both its impact and importance. His 71-run innings off 87 balls included crisp boundaries and confident strokeplay against both pace and spin. In doing so, he also became the highest-scoring No. 11 for South Africa in Test history, surpassing a record that had stood for decades.

Senuran Muthusamy anchors the fightback with unbeaten 89

At the other end, Muthusamy showed remarkable temperament and maturity. The left-hander stood firm amid Pakistan’s persistent bowling and slowly built his innings with patience and precision. His ability to rotate the strike and find gaps ensured South Africa kept the scoreboard ticking even as wickets tumbled around him.

Muthusamy’s unbeaten 89 was a study in calmness under pressure. Although he missed out on a well-deserved century, his partnership with Rabada — worth 98 runs for the 10th wicket — completely shifted the course of the Test. Their stand followed a crucial 71-run ninth-wicket partnership between Muthusamy and Maharaj, which had earlier steadied the innings.

Pakistan let advantage slip despite Asif Afridi’s five-for

Pakistan started the day brightly, with left-arm spinner Asif Afridi continuing his dream spell. He claimed a career-best 5-wicket haul and looked set to wrap up South Africa’s innings quickly. But as the day progressed, fielding lapses and a lack of consistency from the bowlers allowed the visitors back into the contest.

The lower-order resistance frustrated Pakistan’s attack, and the missed opportunities proved costly. By the time Rabada was dismissed, the Proteas had not only erased the deficit but also built a commanding lead.

At the Tea break, South Africa’s total of 404 gave them a 71-run cushion — a position few would have predicted when they were reeling at 235 for 8. The Rawalpindi crowd watched in disbelief as Muthusamy and Rabada walked off to loud applause from the South African camp.

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Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ: Netizens react as Keshav Maharaj helps South Africa seize control despite Asif Afridi’s late strikes for Pakistan on Day 2 of the Rawalpindi Test

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: crickettimes.com

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