New Delhi: Pakistan were enforced to follow-on after getting bowled out for 194 against South Africa in the ongoing second Test match at the Newlands in Cape Town. This was after South Africa posted a humungous total of 615 in the first innings, and as a result, Pakistan accounted for a 421-run deficit on the third day.
Pakistan openers Shan Masood and Babar Azam displayed a solid partnership in the second innings to keep the visitors in hunt at the end of the third day. Shan Masood scored an unbeaten 102 and Babar, who has been promoted to open the innings after Saim Ayub suffered an ankle injury while fielding, added 81 to score his second fifty in the match following his determined 58 in the first innings.
Babar-Shan post partnership records
Babar was dismissed just 14 minutes before the close of the play after being caught by David Bedingham off Marco Jansen’s bowling. He forged a 205-run partnership with his skipper Shan Masood in pursuit of a glorious fightback. This was the highest opening partnership for Pakistan in a follow-on innings in Tests.
As per Cricbuzz, Hanif Mohammad and Saeed Ahmed scored 154 against the West Indies in the Bridgetown Test in 1958 after being asked to follow-on. Pakistan went on to draw the game after Hanif scored 337 and the team declared at 657 for 8.
Furthermore, Babar and Shan also registered the highest partnership by an opening pair in the follow-on innings, surpassing the previous mark of 204 set by South African pair of Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie against England during the Lord’s Test in 2008.
Babar and Shan also posted the highest opening stand from Pakistan against South Africa in Test cricket. Pakistan ended the day at 213 for 1, still trailing by 208 runs. With Shan Masood still standing at the crease, the visitors can go out to build a substantial lead with two days of action left in store.
Facing a massive 421-run deficit after South Africa’s first innings total of 615, Pakistan were forced to follow-on in the second Test at Newlands. Shan Masood’s unbeaten century (102) and Babar Azam’s 81 formed a record-breaking 205-run opening partnership, the highest ever for Pakistan in a follow-on innings. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
