The Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd Test at Rawalpindi created history, an event that had not been experienced previously in almost 150 years of Test cricket. The older players set a new record in Test cricket.

Domination of older players: Keshav Maharaj, Asif Afridi, and Simon Harmer recorded five-wicket hauls

In the first innings of the Test match, while Pakistan scored 333 runs, the 35-year-old South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj recorded a seven-wicket haul as he had the bowling figures of 42.4-5-102-7. After Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon (four times), Maharaj became the second non-Asian bowler to record multiple seven-wicket hauls in Test cricket in Asia, while he previously recorded it in the 2018 Colombo (SSC) Test against Sri Lanka by recording nine wickets (9/129).

While South Africa replied with 404 all out, the 38-year-old Pakistan left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who made his international cricket debut, recorded the bowling figures of 34.3-6-79-6.

Pakistan were bundled out for only 138 runs in their second innings, where the 36-year-old off-spinner Simon Harmer claimed a six-fer, as he had the bowling figures of 20-5-50-6. 

See Also: Simon Harmer joins elite 1,000-wicket club with historic Test milestone

First time three different bowlers over 35 years old recorded five-wicket hauls

This is the first time in Test cricket history that three different bowlers over 35 years old recorded a fifer in a Test match. The record of two bowlers over 35 years old claimed the five-wicket haul in a Test match happened 10 times before the 2025 Rawalpindi Test match between Pakistan and South Africa. 

It was the must-win Test for South Africa to only level the series, as they suffered a defeat in the first Test of the two-match Test series by 93 runs at Lahore. While South Africa had a target of 68 runs in the fourth innings, they comfortably chased that target by losing two wickets, as they won the Test match by eight wickets. 

While South African batters were struggling to reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 333, the lower-order batters rescued the visitors and set up a strong fightback, as the Proteas have taken a solid first innings lead in the Rawalpindi Test. South African no.11 batter Kagiso Rabada stunned with his powerful batting that set a new record for his nation. 

South Africa started the third day of the ongoing Rawalpindi Test at 185/4, but due to losing wickets at regular intervals, they were struggling at 235 for 8. Then Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj had a 71-run partnership for the ninth wicket, but the Proteas were still 27 runs short of Pakistan's first innings total when Maharaj was dismissed for 30 runs. 

See Also: Pakistan star closes with Jasprit Bumrah for Number 1 ICC Test bowler's ranking

Kagiso Rabada scored a 38-ball fifty: Second fastest Test fifty by no.11 batter

Then Senuran Muthusamy got strong support from the no.11 batter Kagiso Rabada, whose fiery batting put South Africa in a strong position in the Test match. They had the 98-run partnership for the last wicket, while Rabada slammed a 38-ball fifty, which was his first Test fifty, and continued his impressive batting to score 71 off 61 balls with four fours and four sixes. 

While Rabada slammed a 38-ball fifty with three sixes and three fours, it was the second-fastest Test fifty by a no.11 batter. West Indies cricketer Shane Shillingford holds this record with a 25-ball fifty against New Zealand in 2014. South African cricketer Pat Symcox held the previous record for South Africa by scoring a 40-ball fifty against Australia in 1998. 

• 25 balls - Shane Shillingford (West Indies) vs New Zealand, 2014
• 38 balls – Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) vs Pakistan, 2025
• 40 balls - Pat Symcox (South Africa) vs Australia, 1998

Kagiso Rabada recorded highest score by no.11 South African batter

With his 71-run knock, Kagiso Rabada also recorded the highest Test innings score by a no.11 batter for South Africa. Their previous record was 62 not out by Bert Vogler against England in 1906. Meanwhile, Rabada now recorded the fifth-highest score in a Test innings by a no.11 batter.

On the other hand, Muthusamy and Rabada set the 98-run partnership for the last wicket, which was South Africa's fourth-highest 10th-wicket partnership in a Test innings. Muthusamy remained not out at 89 runs off 155 balls.

Cricket is a game known for its moments of brilliance and occasional oddities. On Day 3 of the second Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Dhaka, viewers witnessed one such bizarre incident that left many scratching their heads.

Description of the Incident

In the 21st over of the second innings, with Prabath Jayasuriya at the crease, Bangladesh was tightening the screws on Sri Lanka. Having already lost six wickets, the pressure was mounting on the visitors. Hasan Mahmud, the bowler, delivered a length ball that Jayasuriya guided towards the gully.

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Analysis of the Incident

Instead of the usual one or two fielders giving chase, a total of five fielders were seen running after the ball. It was an unprecedented sight, raising eyebrows among spectators and commentators alike. This peculiar tactic was aimed at building pressure on Jayasuriya, who was already facing a daunting task against the Bangladeshi bowling attack.

After this bizarre incident, social media critics hilariously trolled the Bangladeshi fielders. Take a look at the troll:

Overview of the Match Situation

Sri Lanka had dominated the match so far, having taken a commanding lead of 531 runs in the first innings. With such a substantial advantage, they were in a prime position to clinch the series.

On the other hand, Bangladesh faced an uphill battle, especially considering their poor performance with the bat in the series thus far. Chasing over 450 runs was going to be a monumental task for them.

In the final Test against Bangladesh, visitors posted a massive 531 on Day 2 on Sunday, thanks to six batters getting past half-century marks. In response, Bangladesh reached 55/1 at stumps, trailing by 476 runs. Kamindu Mendis scored twin centuries in the first test that Sri Lanka won by a crushing 328 runs.

Bangladesh’s Bowling Performance

Despite the odds stacked against them, Bangladesh’s bowlers showed resilience and determination in the second innings. They managed to put up a commendable performance, restricting Sri Lanka’s scoring opportunities and taking crucial wickets.