Shan Masood and Babar Azam shared a file opening partnership as Pakistan fought again after conceding a 421-run first innings deficit on the third day of the second Take a look at in opposition to at Newlands on Sunday.
Pakistan was 213 for one in its follow-on innings at shut of play, nonetheless 208 runs in need of making South Africa bat once more.
Captain Masood made 102 not out, his sixth Take a look at century and Babar scored 81, his third successive half-century within the sequence.
Babar, who has not scored a global century since August 2023, fell brief once more when he was caught within the gully off Marco Jansen 14 minutes earlier than the shut of play.
Their partnership of 205 was the best for the primary wicket for Pakistan in Assessments in opposition to South Africa. It additionally exceeded Pakistan’s first innings whole of 194, which prompted South African captain Temba Bavuma to implement the follow-on.
AS IT HAPPENED: SA vs PAK 2nd Take a look at Day 3
It was the second important partnership of the day for Babar, who was pressured to open the batting after Saim Ayub was dominated out of the match with a damaged proper ankle.
Babar made 58 within the first innings and placed on 98 for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Rizwan (46) earlier than his dismissal triggered a collapse.
Babar and Rizwan resumed at in a single day 64 for 3 and batted comfortably by the primary hour, seeing off the specter of Kagiso Rabada and Jansen, South Africa’s premier strike bowlers.
The stand was damaged by 18-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka 5 balls after the morning drinks break when Babar was caught behind by Kyle Verreynne, glancing a free ball down the leg facet.
Babar had batted solidly in a 127-ball innings. He stood in seeming disbelief at his dismissal earlier than returning to the pavilion. Rizwan adopted 5 overs later when he charged down the pitch in opposition to Wiaan Mulder and edged a wild slog into his stumps.
There was minimal resistance from the remainder of the batsmen. Nonetheless, Masood and Babar confirmed within the second innings that there have been no demons in a pitch on which South Africa scored 615.
They saved the scoreboard shifting with constructive stroke play and good operating between the wickets and infrequently appeared at risk of getting out.
South Africa’s frustration boiled over when Mulder, after bowling a ball which Babar struck again firmly, threw the ball on the batsman, who was on 56.
The incident led to an alternate of phrases, which additionally concerned wicketkeeper Verreynne, and an intervention by the umpires. The left-handed Masood struck 14 fours in posting his century off 159 balls.