PAK vs SA 1st Test: 5 wickets in 17 runs, Pakistan humiliated on home ground
PAK vs SA 1st Test: Which could have been a fortress, turned into a house of cards. Pakistan suffered humiliation on their home soil against South Africa.
Which could have been a fortress, turned into a house of cards. Pakistan suffered humiliation on their home soil against South Africa. From 361 for 5 to 378 for 10 wickets, Pakistan lost their remaining 5 wickets in 17 runs only during the PAK vs SA 1st Test match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
On the turning track of Lahore, the home team started their innings in a well-rounded manner. Most of their top- and middle-order batters scored runs significantly. At the point of the first innings, it seems Pakistan can register a total of over 500 runs against the World Test Championship (WTC) champions. In reality, they were unable to touch the 400-run milestone.
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first on the fresh track to Gaddafi Stadium. The decision was easy to make, as the surface was looking dry and spin-friendly. From Day 1, the spinners of the South Africa cricket team were producing huge turns. Batting on such a wicket was not easy for any batters. But as long as Imam-ul-Haq (93), captain Shan Masood (76), Mohammad Rizwan (75), and Salman Ali Agha (93) were on the pitch, scoring runs looked like an easy task. Babar Azam was looking in good form but halted only for 23 runs. But still, Pakistan confidently edged past the 350-run mark and was heading for 400 on the scoreboard.
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Pakistan suffered humiliation at Gaddafi Stadium
Senuran Muthusamy turned into the wrecker-in-chief for South Africa. The 31-year-old slow left-arm orthodox single-handedly cut the tail of Pakistan's batting line-up. On 362 runs, Pakistan lost their 3 batters, though it was on a hat-trick. Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan had no clue against the South African bowler. With the tail-enders, Agha also could not stretch the innings. Agha missed his hundred by only 7 runs, and Pakistan suffered humiliation in their home.
It will be interesting to see how the touring side is able to perform on the turning track. South Africa has enough firepower in their batting lineup. But to survive in typical subcontinent conditions, they have to bat with patience.
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