Fans react as Senuran Muthusamy and bowlers tighten South Africa’s hold as Pakistan’s hopes rest on Babar Azam | Rawalpindi Test, Day 3

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Day 3 of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum as the visitors seized control of the contest. After conceding 333 in Pakistan’s first innings, South Africa mounted a powerful response with the bat, amassing 404 runs to secure a commanding 71-run lead.

The day’s proceedings showcased Senuran Muthusamy’s grit (89 off 155 balls) and Kagiso Rabada’s explosive lower-order assault (71 off 61), which together frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers. In reply, Pakistan endured a top-order collapse, reeling at 94/4 at stumps, with Babar Azam (49)* holding the innings together in an increasingly precarious situation. With a slender lead of just 23 runs, the hosts’ hopes now rest almost entirely on their captain to avert a second consecutive defeat in the series.

Muthusamy’s resilient knock proved to be the cornerstone of South Africa’s remarkable recovery from 210/7 to a daunting total of 404. Coming in when his side was in deep trouble, the left-hander showcased composure and textbook defensive technique to blunt Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack. He displayed exceptional shot selection and patience, forming crucial lower-order partnerships that deflated the hosts.

Muthusamy added 96 runs for the 9th wicket with Keshav Maharaj (30) and later a blistering 98-run stand with Rabada, who counter-attacked magnificently, smashing four sixes and four boundaries at a strike rate of over 115. Rabada’s fearless strokeplay off both spinners and seamers turned the tide, converting a middling total into a match-defining one. For Pakistan, debutant Asif Afridi stood tall with a brilliant 6-wicket haul (6/79), while Noman Ali (2/92) provided crucial breakthroughs. However, the inability to polish off the tail once again proved costly as South Africa’s lower order dictated terms in Rawalpindi’s fading afternoon light.

Also READ: List of captains for Pakistan in ODI cricket ft. Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan

South Africa’s spin duo led by Simon Harmer (3/26) and the pace of Rabada (1/22) combined to inflict early damage on Pakistan’s second innings. Harmer struck thrice in quick succession, dismantling the top order with accuracy and flight that exposed Pakistan’s vulnerability against turn. Both openers, Imam-ul-Haq (9) and Abdullah Shafique (6), fell cheaply, while skipper Shan Masood departed for a duck, trapped plumb in front by Harmer.

The collapse left Pakistan tottering at 16/3 within the first six overs. It took the class and temperament of Babar to steady the innings. The right-hander looked in fine touch, unfurling elegant cover drives and wristy flicks en route to an unbeaten 49 off 83 balls, but he found little support from the other end. Saud Shakeel (11) added 44 runs with his captain before falling to Harmer once again, leaving Babar and Mohammad Rizwan (16)* to survive the final overs of the day.

As play ended, Pakistan’s position remained precarious at 94/4, leading by just 23 runs, with their hopes of saving the match and possibly the series hinging entirely on Babar’s resilience. South Africa, buoyed by Muthusamy’s all-round influence and the relentless precision of their bowlers, will now eye an early finish on Day 4 to clinch the series in commanding fashion.

Gutted for Muthusamy as he's left stranded on 89* but what a knock its been. He's a really good all round cricketer. Might not have bowled much in the 1st innings but that didn't deter him from putting in a performance with bat in hand. That innings was massive for us!#SAvPAK

— Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) October 22, 2025

No idea why we're comparing Rabada to Lara when we should be comparing him to the greatest left-handed batter of all time: Senuran Muthusamy.

— Dale (@ncakos316) October 22, 2025

Important to not be so quick to lose faith in someone's ability shown over years of First-Class cricket

Muthusamy doing this for all who doubted his batting ability https://t.co/9mr442y4zj

— Werner (@Werries_) October 22, 2025

Corbin Bosch, Robin Peterson, Philander, Symcox and now Muthusamy.

Have seen several instances where a SA lower order batter took the game away.

Pak fans would hope the result would be different incase of Muthusamy.

— Martial (@coverpoint_) October 22, 2025

Rabada and Muthusamy played like they were playing for their life. Absolute bonkers! Such a pity for Pakistan. Can't rely on 40 year old spinners all the time.

— Mindful Punter 🏏 (@PunterLost) October 22, 2025

This Rabada and Muthusamy partnership is one to remember

— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) October 22, 2025

South Africa takes 71 runs lead in the first innings 👉 https://t.co/PIOhz8QCiU#PAKvSA #2ndTest #cricket

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 22, 2025

Stands are full just for one guy, oh Babar this nation loves you insanely.

— Ayesha Masroor (@AyeshaMasroor56) October 22, 2025

Babar Azam without a 50+ score in home Tests since December 2022. Now is a great time to break that drought with his team in massive trouble.#PAKvSA

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) October 22, 2025

I'll never criticize babar if he scores a century in this inning and proves himself to be saviour of pakistan cricket.

— 𝐀. (@was_abdd) October 22, 2025

Also WATCH: PAK vs SA: Abdullah Shafique survives as bails stay intact despite ball hitting off-stump on Day 2 of Rawalpindi Test