PAK 259/5 in 91 Overs at Stumps | Pakistan vs South Africa Highlights of 2nd Test 2025 Day 1: Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha Survives Tricky Final Session; Game Hangs In Balance

Stumps! After the end of Day 1's play, both teams will be neither very happy or not entirely unhappy. South Africa would have been happier if they could get another wicket today. While Pakistan would be happy knowing that they survived the tricky last phase and they already have a foundation laid. South Africa will want to clean up Pakistan as quickly as possible on Day 2 and use the conditions for batting before it breaks. The game is now in balance. 

Out! Big wicket four South Africa as Mohammad Rizwan departs. It was a key phase for South Africa as they needed to enter the tail of Pakistan. They have made progress in that as Kagiso Rabada traps Mohammad Rizwan LBW.  Length delivery, angled in, Rizwan tried to push it out but the ball skidded on to hit the pad. South Africa will want another wicket before stumps. Rizwan lbw b Rabada 19(39).

Saud Shakeel has been around in the crease for some time now and with Shan Masood dismissed now, his responsibility has become bigger. He is rotating strike, ticking the scoreboard and at the same time giving Mohammad Rizwan enough time to build his innings. 

Out! Finally the breakthrough comes for South Africa. Tossed up delivery outside off from Keshav Maharaj, Shan Masood gets lured into the sweep but this time doesn't get the entire of it and the top edge lobs to the hands of the short fine leg. Big wicket for South Africa and Masood missed hundred. Masood c Marco Jansen b Maharaj 87(176).

Pakistan has once again put up a strong batting performance in front of South Africa. Shan Masood has been out of the crease ticking the scoreboard and nearing his century while on the other hand, Saud Shakeel is finding his feet in the crease. South Africa will be under pressure. 

TEA on Day 1! South Africa have bounced back in this session with two wickets and the game has gotten interesting now. Abdullah Shafique rode his luck to 53 but was dismissed soon after and Babar Azam looked good for his brief stay for 16 runs before he was removed by Keshav Maharaj. But Pakistan captain Shan Masood, after being dropped, has stood tall at the other end with an unbeaten 77 and we are heading towards what promises to be an exciting final session on Day 1. 

OUT! Keshav Maharaj has struck and delivered the big wicket of Babar Azam! The right-hander survived an LBW shout the last ball and this time, drew forward to defend the ball but the ball was in the air for a bit and Tony de Zorzi ended up taking a splendid catch! Babar Azam c Tony de Zorzi b Aiden Maharaj 16(22) 

OUT! South Africa have managed to break the partnership finally as Simon Harmer dismisses Abdullah Shafique! The right-hander got a faint edge as he attempted to glance the ball with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne taking the catch. South Africa used the DRS correctly which showed a spike as the ball passed the bat. Abdullah Shafique c Kyle Verreynne b Simon Harmer 57(146) 

FIFTY for Abdullah Shafique! He has attained the mark for the sixth time in Tests and got it after getting a number of reprieves! The right-hander looked shaky at the start but has grown in confidence gradually as the innings has progressed and he and Shan Masood have built a solid platform for Pakistan to score a big first innings total. 

FIFTY for Shan Masood, 13th in Tests! The Pakistan captain has played a wonderful knock here and after missing out in Lahore he would want to convert it into a hundred. The left-hander has batted well on a tough pitch and Pakistan will want him to make it big in this match. 

LUNCH on Day 1! It has been a good session for Pakistan with Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood both looking solid. Abdullah Shafique got few reprieves early on but later looked in control. Pakistan captain Shan Masood, on the other hand, was a tad bit more attacking and hit some fine sixes off the spinners. South Africa are under the pump and will need to find out a way to bounce back or else they could be staring at a very long day! 

Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique's partnership, which is worth 56 runs now, has kept Pakistan in total control here. South Africa need to find a wicket soon or else this game could slip away with Pakistan looking set for a big first innings score. 

Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique have looked very confident in the past few overs and they have kept Pakistan on top here. South Africa will need to find a way out to break this budding partnership which promises to be a big one. 

OUT! Simon Harmer gets the breakthrough and what a delivery this is! Imam-ul-Haq has been totally bamboozled by the ball which has crashed into the stumps and South Africa, after coming close on a number of occasions, finally have the first wicket.  Imam-ul-Haq b Simon Harmer 17(35)

Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq have taken Pakistan to 32/0 in the first 10 overs. It has been a steady start for Pakistan, alright,t but it hasn't been a clinical one. Abdullah Shafique got not one, two, but three reprieves, two of them being missed catches while one was the ball hitting his off-stump, but the bails did not fall! Imam-ul-Haq has looked solid at the other end and both Pakistan openers will look to put more pressure on South Africa here. 

Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq have taken Pakistan to 32/0 in the first 10 overs. It has been a steady start for Pakistan, alright,t but it hasn't been a clinical one. Abdullah Shafique got not one, two, but three reprieves, two of them being missed catches while one was the ball hitting his off-stump, but the bails did not fall! Imam-ul-Haq has looked solid at the other end and both Pakistan openers will look to put more pressure on South Africa here. 

It has been a steady start from Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq. Both the players have played some fine shots and have looked good and Pakistan will want them to carry on in the same manner. 

Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq have started proceedings with the bat in hand for Pakistan. Pakistan will hope for a good start through these two players while South Africa hunt for some early wickets. 

Pakistan's Playing XI vs South Africa: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood(c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Asif Afridi

Shan Masood has won the toss and Pakistan have chosen to bat first. Asif Afridi makes his debut for Pakistan, while Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj are in for South Africa.