Venue: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Dates: October 20–23
Result: South Africa won by 8 wickets
Match Summary:
South Africa defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets in the second Test match, leveling the two-match series 1–1.
On the fourth day, South Africa’s batsmen comfortably chased down the target of 68 runs, showing full control of the game.
Pakistan, who were 73/2 in their second innings, failed to build any strong partnerships and couldn’t put up a challenging total.
First Innings Highlights:
Pakistan scored 333 runs in their first innings. The middle order played well and helped the team reach a decent total, though no batsman managed to score a big century.
South Africa replied strongly with 404 runs, gaining a solid lead. Their top-order batsmen played confidently, putting Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure throughout the innings.
Turning Point:
The turning point of the match came early in Pakistan’s second innings.
The Pakistani batsmen struggled badly against the South African bowling attack and lost quick wickets.
That collapse allowed South Africa to control the match and easily chase the small target with only two wickets down.
Top Performers:
South Africa: The top-order batsmen formed key partnerships, and their bowlers turned the game around after the first innings.
Pakistan: Despite a strong start in the first innings, the team’s second-innings collapse cost them the match.
Series Result:
The two-match Test series ended 1–1, with both teams winning one match each — a fair reflection of their overall performance.
Final Words:
Pakistan showed moments of brilliance but lacked consistency. Their batting performance dropped sharply in the second innings, and the bowling attack couldn’t maintain pressure.
South Africa, on the other hand, played smart cricket, handled pressure well, and deserved the victory.