On Day 2 of the second Test at Newlands, South Africa put Pakistan in a difficult spot, finishing their innings at 615 with Ryan Rickelton scoring 259. Pakistan ended the day on 64 for 3 in response, still needing 551 runs, with Babar Azam remaining not out on 31 as they struggled in their batting lineup after losing Saim Ayub to injury.
On the second day of the second Test match at Newlands, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position as they struggled against a dominant South African batting display. Responding to South Africa’s formidable first innings total of 615 runs, Pakistan concluded the day at 64 for 3, with their situation exacerbated by the absence of opening batsman Saim Ayub due to a broken ankle. Babar Azam, who was forced into the opening role, ended the day unbeaten on 31, leaving Pakistan still 551 runs behind their opponents.
The South African innings was spearheaded by the remarkable Ryan Rickelton, who scored an impressive 259 runs, marking the joint seventh highest Test score for the nation. South Africa began Day 2 with 316 for 4 and added another 299 runs at a brisk rate of nearly five runs per over before finally being all out. Rickelton exemplified resilience and skill as he batted for 607 minutes, facing 343 balls and hitting 29 fours and three sixes, showcasing his capabilities.
Throughout the innings, his partnership with Kyle Verreynne, who contributed 100 runs, was particularly noteworthy as they orchestrated a sixth-wicket stand that blunted the Pakistani attack. Despite the loss of wickets, including Rickelton and Jansen, who scored 62 runs off just 54 balls, South Africa’s tail-end batsmen continued to add significant runs. Eventually, the Pakistani bowlers concluded South Africa’s innings when Mohammad Abbas dismissed debutant Kwena Maphaka, thereby achieving his 100th Test wicket.
Pakistan’s response, however, started poorly with captain Shan Masood falling for just two runs off Kagiso Rabada in the first over. Subsequent wickets fell quickly, and before long, Pakistan found themselves at 20 for 3. Nonetheless, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan managed to stabilize the innings, forming an unbeaten partnership of 44 runs for the fourth wicket by the day’s end.
In summary, the day belonged to South Africa, characterized by Rickelton’s remarkable innings and a strong team performance that placed Pakistan firmly on the back foot in this Test match.
The article discusses the events of the second day of the second Test match between Pakistan and South Africa, which took place at Newlands. South Africa dominated the day with a high-scoring performance led by Ryan Rickelton. Pakistan’s batting struggles are compounded by the injury of one of their opening batsmen, which has significant implications for their overall performance in the match. The statistics and performances highlighted are crucial for understanding the challenges Pakistan faces in this Test series against South Africa.
In conclusion, the second day of the Test match saw South Africa assert their dominance through a robust batting display, led notably by Ryan Rickelton’s extraordinary innings. Pakistan’s batting struggles, particularly in the absence of Saim Ayub, left them in a vulnerable position. As Day 3 approaches, Pakistan must regroup to address their early batting failures and mount a stronger defense against a formidable South African side.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
