PAK 94/4 in 35 Overs (Lead By 23 Runs) at Stumps | Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd Test 2025 Day 3 Highlights: Proteas Have the Edge, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan Fight Back for Hosts

Hosts Pakistan national cricket team might be leading by 23 runs at the end of day 3 of the ongoing PAK vs SA 2nd Test 2025, but South Africa national cricket team look to be in firm control of the game. Simon Harmer with his three-wicket haul (3/26) and Kagiso Rabada with one wicket (1/22) have dictated the last session. Star batters Babar Azam (49 runs) and Mohammad Rizwan (16) are fighting in pair. Earlier today, Kagiso Rabada with his 71 runs knock was also a hero with the bat. Senuran Muthusamy stood not out, scoring 89 runs. They were the architects for the Proteas 404 total in 1st innings.

Hosts Pakistan national cricket team have managed to take a lead after the initial batting collapse. Star batter Babar Azam is trying to get things in control, having scored 38 runs already. Still a minimum of six overs left before the day ends.

One more wicket gone for hosts Pakistan national cricket team. Proteas skipper Aiden Markram made no mistake in taking the catch at first slip as Simon Harmer picks his third wicket in the ongoing 2nd innings by picking out Saud Shakeel. Saud Shakeel c Aiden Markram b Simon Harmer 11(43)

Babar Azam has made 14 runs so far off 26 balls, and is trying his best to help Pakistan hold on to the wickets after two early sent-offs. The Green Shirts are trailing by 33 runs, and a further loss of wickets in this session will make them more on the backfoot.

Kagiso Rabada scalps the wicket of Abdullah Shafique, and in no time hosts Pakistan are 16 runs for the loss of three wickets. Marco Jansen made no mistake in picking the catch. Abdullah Shafique c Marco Jansen b Kagiso Rabada 6(19)

The Pakistan national cricket team skipper Shan Masood departs early, following the recent wicket of Imam-ul-Haq. Shan Masood is gone for a duck, after facing just five balls. Simon Harmer sclaps two early wickets, this time a LBW. Shan Masood 0 (5) LBW Simon Harmer

OUT! Simon Harmer has dismissed Imam-ul-Haq and South Africa are off to a good start! The left-hander has been trapped LBW in front of the stumps and the umpire raised his finger. The left-hander opted for the DRS which showed that the ball was clipping the leg-stump.  Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Simon Harmer 9(14)

Pakistan have resumed the proceedings in their third innings of the tournament. Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique have started off the innings and will need a partnership here to challenge South Africa. 

OUT! And with that wicket, tea has been taken! Asif Afridi has ended South Africa's impressive fight here and what a performance this has been by the lower order of the Proteas! Senuran Muthusamy was unbeaten on 89 and Kagiso Rabada, attempting to hit Asif Afridi, found the fielder in the deep while batting on 71. South Africa have attained a 71-run lead here and it will be very beneficial for them in the context of this match. We will be back soon with the post-tea session! 

OUT! And with that wicket, tea has been taken! Asif Afridi has ended South Africa's impressive fight here and what a performance this has been by the lower order of the Proteas! Senuran Muthusamy was unbeaten on 89 and Kagiso Rabada, attempting to hit Asif Afridi, found the fielder in the deep while batting on 71. South Africa have attained a 71-run lead here and it will be very beneficial for them in the context of this match. We will be back soon with the post-tea session! 

South Africa have gone past 400 here and what a performance this has been from the Proteas lower-order, especially Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada! The two left-handers have batted well, mixing caution and aggression and their partnership, which is close to 100 runs now, has pushed Pakistan on the back foot.

FIFTY for Kagiso Rabada! The tail-ender has walked out to bat and got to his maiden Test fifty. And it has been such a beautiful knock with the left-hander playing some spectacular shots! He and Senuran Muthusamy have led a terrific fightback for South Afric and Pakistan are under pressure here, big time. 

South Africa have the lead now and it has been some performance from Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada! The Senuran Muthusamy-Kagiso Rabada partnership has already reached 39 runs and the world Test champions are playing brilliantly here. After Asif Afridi's fifer, South Africa have found a way to fightback and now, will eye a decent lead. 

OUT! Pakistan have broken this partnership and it is Noman Ali who has taken the wicket of Keshav Maharaj! The right-hander wanted to go big after dancing down the wicket, but missed the ball with Mohammad Rizwan taking out the stumps in a flash. A solid partnership worth 71 runs comes to an end. Keshav Maharaj st Mohammad Rizwan b Noman Ali 30(53)

FIFTY for Senuran Muthusamy! He has fought hard here with the bat and scored a hard-fought fifty. It has been a good knock from the left-hander and he will now look to make a big score in the middle. 

The post-lunch session has resumed and Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj are out in the middle, resuming the proceedings. South Africa would need these two to carry on and form a big partnership here.

LUNCH on Day 3! It has been a sensational first session with Pakistan claiming the upper hand initially before South Africa bounced back through Senuran Muthusamy. Asif Afridi tore through the South African batting order as he picked up three wickets to complete a five-wicket haul on Test debut but it was followed by a superb fightback from Senuran Muthusamy, who batted well to remain unbeaten on 48. His 50-run partnership with Keshav Maharaj has given South Africa a lot of hope here. 

OUT! Noman Ali has picked up his first wicket of the innings and he has done so by trapping Marco Jansen LBW. The on-field umpire had to overturn his decision after replay showed three reds and Pakistan on the brink of bowling South Africa out.  Marco Jansen lbw b Noman Ali 12(26)

OUT! Five-wicket haul for 38-year-old Asif Afridi on debut! He has been superb in this innings and he has achieved the landmark by trapping Simon Harmer LBW, who does not have much luck as replays showed three reds. Simon Harmer lbw b Asif Afridi 2(7)

OUT! Asif Afridi has struck for a second time this morning, dismissing Tristan Stubbs! The right-hander went on the backfoot but missed the ball and was struck in front of the stumps. Tristan Stubbs opted for a DRS after the umpire raised his finger and replay showed three reds. South Africa in a spot of bother now. Tristan Stubbs lbw b Asif Afridi 76(205)