SA 51/2 in 22 Overs (Target: 276) at Stumps | Pakistan vs South Africa Highlights of 1st Test 2025 Day 3: Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi Play Out Tough Session, Keep Chances Alive

End of a rather tough session for South Africa which could have gone very wrong after the two wickets early, if not for Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton, who added 25 runs to the score and at the same time played out the tough phase of play. South Africa are alive in the chase but they have a tough ask in front of them chasing a relatively strong total on a Day 4 surface turning square. 

After the first two wickets went down quickly, Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton have looked to steady the ship and progress the innings deeper so that they don't end up taking poor decisions. They have ticked the scoreboard and at the same looked to not rush. They still have a tough task in hand. 

Out! South Africa lose another and this time, they will be feeling the pressure. It is Noman Ali again who strikes. The ball was leaving Mulder when he gets stuck in indecision of playing or leaving. Eventually, the ball takes the shoulder of his bat and flies to the hands of the first slip. Big wicket for Pakistan. Mulder c Salman Agha b Noman Ali 0(3).

Out! South Africa were aiming at a solid opening stand to reduce the pressure of chasing a big total in what has been a really challenging surface, but they don't get it as Noman Ali gets the better of Aiden Markram. Tossed up delivery drifting in on a fuller length on middle and leg, lands and continues to come with the round the wicket angle. Markram goes for the slog sweep but ends up missing it and the ball knocks over his stumps. Bad shot given the situation and he has paid for it. Markram b Noman Ali 3(11).

Out! That's the end of the Pakistan innings. Things ended rather quickly for them. They lost the last six wickets for just 17 runs. Saud Shakeel is the one who should take the blame for throwing away his wicket just before Tea. South Africa stay alive in the game although it will be a steep task to chase down 276 in a turning wicket. Senuran Muthusamy is the hero for them having taken a five-wicket haul. He received good support from Simon Harmer, who dismissed Sajid Khan to end the Pakistan innings. 7. Sajid Khan c Brevis b Harmer 1(5).

Out! Senuran Muthusamy is on a roll here. It was a faster, flatter delivery on middle and leg, Noman Ali opts for the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit flush infront of the wicket. It was a plumb LBW and even the DRS couldn't save Noman Ali. South Africa are one wicket away from bowling out Pakistan. Noman Ali lbw b Muthusamy 11(16).

Out! South Africa know the lead they conceded are a big one and they will have to wrap up Pakistan soon to have any chance for the chase. Senuram Muthusamy has helped them do exactly that as he cleans up Salman Ali Agha. Bowls on the leg stump, Salman Ali Agha goes for the sweep and the ball turns enough to miss his bat and go around him to wreck his stumps. Crucial breakthrough as South Africa now have tailenders to bowl at only.  Salman Agha b Muthusamy 4(11).

Out! South Africa continue to chip in wickets. Tossed up ball outside off, Shaheen Shah Afridi goes for the reverse sweep but doesn't get the hold of the ball and it gently lobs to the fielder at backward point. Senuran Muthusamy is the bowler who strikes and Afridi departs for duck. Shaheen Afridi c Mulder b Muthusamy 0(6).

Out! South Africa get another breakthrough just after the tea break. Mohammad Rizwan steps out looks to push the ball to the legside, but the ball pitches full and turns in to crash into the stumps. Big wicket for South Africa as they return strongly in the game.  Rizwan b Harmer 14(27).

Out! Saud Shakeel has a brainfade moment. The Tea was on cards and instead of playing out the session, Shakeel went after Senuran Muthusamy as he launched a slog sweep to deep mid-wicket. Wanted to place it squarer but the lofted shot went to the lone fielder stationed at deep mid-wicket. With it, the umpires signal for the tea break and Shakeel, despite starting well handed out an opportunity to South Africa. Saud Shakeel c Stubbs b Muthusamy 38(53).

Mohammad Rizwan has joined Saud Shakeel at the crease after the fall of Babar Azam's wicket and this lead for Pakistan has kept on swelling, now reaching 250. South Africa will need to do something and fast in order to not have the game slip away. 

OUT! Kagiso Rabada has struck and he has provided South Africa with the big wicket of Babar Azam! The right-hander was looking good out in the middle but failed to judge the delivery which struck him in front of the stumps. He used the DRS which showed three reds and much to the disappointment of the fans in Lahore, Babar Azam has to depart. Babar Azam lbw b Kagiso Rabada 42(72)

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel have stretched Pakistan's lead here. Both the batters have largely looked undisturbed by South Africa's bowling and the lead is now 198 runs. South Africa need a wicket here to put pressure on Pakistan or else this game could slip away.

OUT! Senuran Muthusamy has struck and he has dismissed Abdullah Shafique, who was looking well-set. The right-hander danced down the track and attempted to hit the ball over his head,d but instead, hit his toe-end of the bat and Senuran Muthusamy took a simple return catch. Abdullah Shafique c and b Senuran Muthusamy 41(73) 

The post-lunch session has started and Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique are out in the middle. The two right-handers will look to form a partnership and ensure that no more wicket is lost at least for the next hour or so. South Africa meanwhile, will look to dent the Pakistan batting with a couple of more wickets at least in this session. 

LUNCH on Day 3! What a session this has been with six wickets going down! Pakistan earlier bowled South Africa out for 269 and gained a 109-run lead and South Africa, in response, Simon Harmer got two wickets in the session, reducing the hosts to 36/2. Tony de Zorzi was in superb form for South Africa, scoring his second Test century but his performance was overshadowed by Noman Ali who scalped a six-fer. The match is poised nicely at this stage as we head into lunch. 

OUT! Simon Harmer picks up his second wicket of the match as he gets the bug wicket of Shan Masood! The left-hander was beaten by the delivery that turned in sharply and the umpire gave it out. Shan Masood used the DRS which showed that it would have been umpire's call. Pakistan lose their second. Shan Masood lbw b Simon Harmer 7(17)

OUT! Simon Harmer has provided the breakthrough here for South Africa. The left-hander came down the track but missed the ball totally, with Kyle Verreynne completing the stumping. Imam-ul-Haq st Kyle Verreynne b Simon Harmer 0(2)

South Africa are all out for 269 with Sajid Khan dismissing Kagiso Rabada! With this, the Proteas have conceded a 109-run lead to Pakistan and this is sure to put them under a lot of pressure in this match. Noman Ali was the standout performer for Pakistan with six wickets (6/112) while Sajid Khan bagged three for 98 runs. Salman Ali Agha also got one wicket. We will be back with Pakistan's second innings shortly. 

OUT! Noman Ali is on a roll here as he now dismisses Prenelan Subrayen! The right-hander got an edge towards first slip where Salman Ali Agha picked up a good catch. South Africa on the verge being bowled out here. Prenelan Subrayen c Salman Agha b Noman Ali 4(11)