Rawalpindi: Pakistan had the worst of starts as they lost skipper Babar Azam on the second ball of the day and Fawad Alam taking a risky single, resulting in run-out.
However, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf stood again and guide Pakistan to 229/7 with a powerful fifty at Lunch on Day two of the final Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
The 26-year-old Babar was at the forefront along with Fawad yesterday after the home side were struggling at 22/3 after opting to bat.
Babar’s wicket caused Pakistan a setback as he threw his bat off Anrich Nortje’s wide off-stump delivery which went straight into the hands of Faf du Plessis at slips. Babar made 77 off 127 balls which included 12 fours.
The inform Fawad was removed courtesy of a brilliant piece of work by point fielder Temba Bavuma soon after Babar’s dismissal. He faced 155 balls for his 45.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan didn’t look at his best as he had the slowest of the starts. He started to build on partnership with Faheem but the second new-ball did the trick for the visitors.
Rizwan (18 off 68) went to hook a short-pitched delivery by Nortje, going straight into the hands of Kagiso Rabada at fine-leg.
The wickets at the other end didn’t cause much trouble for Faheem as he continued to take on bowlers. He completed his fourth Test fifty soon after Hasan Ali’s dismissal by smacking a straight drive off Rabada.
Note, Pakistan are 1-0 in the two-match series as they defeated Proteas by seven wickets in Karachi last week.
