Debutant Asif Afridi takes two wickets as South Africa trail by 148 runs

Debutant Asif Afridi bagged two quick wickets to put Pakistan back in the contest against South Africa at the close of the second day’s play at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

At stumps, the tourists were 185 for four in 65 overs, trailing Pakistan by 148 runs.

In reply to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 333, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early to remove Ryan Rickelton caught behind for 14.

Visiting skipper Aiden Markram tried to take the attack to the home spinners, clouting debutant Asif Afridi for a six before holing out off Sajid Khan at long-on for 32.

 At that point, Tristan Stubbs was joined by first-Test centurion Tony de Zorzi and the pair added 113 runs for the third wicket.

On the stroke of stumps, left-arm spinner Asif claimed the prized scalp of de Zorzi, trapping him leg-before wicket for 55 off 93 balls, which included one four and two sixes. He then went on to dismiss right-handed batter Dewald Brevis for nought.

Stubbs was unbeaten on 68 when stumps were drawn, while Kyle Verreynne was not out on 10.

Earlier, resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 259 for five, the hosts lost their last five wickets for just 17 runs.

For the tourists, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of seven for 102, while Rabada claimed two wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan resumed on 259-5 and reached 316 untroubled when the Maharaj show began.

Having taken two wickets on the opening day, he broke through the defence of Salman Agha, trapping him leg-before for 45 to give the World Test champions hope of wrapping up the innings quickly.

Agha hit five fours and added 70 for the sixth wicket with Saud Shakeel.

Shakeel looked steady and reached his 10th half-century with a couple off Maharaj.

But the spinner had him caught in the slips for 66, and it triggered a collapse.

Maharaj bowled Shaheen for nought, completing his first five-wicket haul against Pakistan.

Maharaj wrapped up the innings with the wickets of Sajid (five) and Afridi (four) as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 17 runs.

Pakistan are attempting to sweep the two-match series after winning the first Test, in Lahore, by 93 runs.