In the heart of Rawalpindi, under the bright Pakistani sun and amidst roaring crowds, Test cricket delivered yet another classic — a game of shifting momentum, nerves of steel, and moments of individual brilliance that redefined resilience. The second Test of the VGO Telmo Presents BankAlfa Test Series 2025 between Pakistan and South Africa ended in a spectacular fashion, as South Africa clawed back from near defeat to register an emphatic eight-wicket win, leveling the series 1-1.
What looked like Pakistan’s match to lose after day two turned into a South African masterclass in grit, skill, and patience. From Simon Harmer’s six-wicket haul to Kagiso Rabada’s fighting fifty, the Proteas displayed the perfect blend of determination and discipline to pull off one of their finest overseas victories in recent times.
Day 1 & 2: Pakistan Start Strong with the Bat
The picturesque Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium had a pitch that seemed perfect for batting, and Pakistan’s top order made full use of it. Skipper Shan Masood led from the front, compiling a fluent 87, while Saud Shakeel’s steady 66 added backbone to the innings. The home team looked well-placed at 333 all out, setting a solid foundation.
For a while, Pakistan seemed in control. The ball wasn’t doing much off the surface, and the batters looked comfortable. The South African bowlers, though disciplined, struggled to find breakthroughs at crucial moments. However, it was Keshav Maharaj who broke through with his deceptive spin, bagging seven wickets and restricting Pakistan from crossing 350 — a total that looked just about par on this surface.
At stumps, Pakistan’s dressing room was buzzing with confidence. The hosts knew they had the runs on the board, the spinners to exploit the surface later, and the momentum on their side.
But Test cricket, as always, had other plans.
Day 3: South Africa Fight Back – Rabada and Mutasami Lead the Charge
When South Africa came out to bat, things didn’t go their way immediately. Early wickets fell, and soon they were tottering at 210 for seven. The Pakistani bowlers — especially Shaheen Afridi and Noman Ali — were breathing fire.
But then came a counterattack that changed the complexion of the match. Senuran Mutasami (76) and Kagiso Rabada (50)* joined hands in an extraordinary partnership that frustrated Pakistan and breathed life into the South African innings. Together, they added 89 runs for the ninth wicket, a partnership filled with grit, patience, and an occasional flourish.
Mutasami, known more for his spin than his strokeplay, looked unflappable against Pakistan’s spinners, while Rabada — usually the destroyer with the ball — turned into a savior with the bat. Their resilience took South Africa to 404, giving them a crucial lead of 71 runs.
It wasn’t a massive lead on paper, but psychologically, it tilted the balance. Pakistan had let the tail wag — a mistake teams can seldom afford in Test cricket.
Day 4 Morning: Harmer Wreaks Havoc as Pakistan Collapse
Day four began with Pakistan trailing by just 23 runs, but Babar Azam — the nation’s darling — was still at the crease, unbeaten on 49. The fans expected magic, perhaps even a match-defining century.
But South Africa had other ideas. The new day, the new ball, and a renewed energy led by Simon Harmer turned everything around.
Babar completed his fifty with grace and calm — a moment of relief for Pakistani supporters after seven innings of struggle. But that joy lasted barely minutes. Harmer bowled a dream delivery that spun sharply and stayed low, trapping Babar plumb in front. The review only confirmed the inevitable — three reds on the screen. Babar was gone for 50.
That dismissal was the turning point. From there, Pakistan’s innings unraveled spectacularly.
- Rizwan nicked one behind for 18.
- Noman Ali fell for a duck.
- Shaheen Afridi was run out after a chaotic mix-up.
Within a blink, Pakistan were reeling at 105 for seven.
Then came the moment of history — Harmer claimed his 1,000th first-class wicket, a monumental achievement that crowned his spellbinding performance. His precision, control, and flight left Pakistan’s batters guessing throughout. He finished with 6 for 50, a spell that will be remembered for years to come.
Harmer’s brilliance combined with the relentless pressure from Rabada and Maharaj ensured that Pakistan were bundled out for 138, leaving South Africa a modest target of 68 runs to win the match.
Day 4 Afternoon: Pakistan’s Resistance Crumbles, South Africa Seal the Win
Chasing small targets in the fourth innings can be tricky, especially in subcontinental conditions where the pitch tends to break down. But South Africa showed no nerves.
Aiden Markram, the South African skipper, led the chase with intent. He combined composure with aggression, hitting crisp drives and well-timed sweeps. Alongside Dean Elgar, he ensured that the Proteas didn’t get bogged down.
There was a lucky edge early on that ran between slip and keeper for four — a sign that luck was with South Africa. From there, Markram shifted gears, playing some exquisite strokes down the ground.
The runs came quickly — a reverse sweep here, a pull shot there. Markram brought up a fluent 42 off 45 balls, before being trapped LBW by Noman Ali. Even though he reviewed the decision, the ball-tracking confirmed the umpire’s call.
Pakistan managed to pick up another quick wicket — Tristan Stubbs, out for a duck — giving the home fans a flicker of hope. But it was short-lived. Ryan Rickelton (25*) and David Bedingham finished the job in style, with Bedingham lofting one over mid-on for a six to seal victory.
South Africa finished at 73 for two, winning by eight wickets and leveling the series 1-1.
Simon Harmer – The Magician at Work
If there was one man who defined this Test match, it was Simon Harmer.
His spell on the morning of day four was pure artistry — a masterclass in spin bowling. He mixed flight, pace, and line to perfection. Every delivery asked questions, every over built pressure, and every wicket pushed Pakistan deeper into trouble.
Harmer’s achievement of 1,000 first-class wickets is rare in modern cricket — a testament to his longevity, consistency, and craft. His 6-for in the second innings, coupled with tight bowling in the first, made him the undisputed Player of the Match.
South Africa’s Grit and Unity
This victory wasn’t just about individual brilliance — it was about collective belief.
- Keshav Maharaj’s seven wickets in the first innings.
- Rabada’s all-round performance — 50 runs and crucial breakthroughs.
- Mutasami’s rearguard fight with the bat.
- And, of course, Harmer’s magical spell.
All of it came together perfectly for the Proteas.
They had lost the first Test at Lahore, were under pressure, and had every reason to crumble. Instead, they regrouped, refocused, and responded in style — the hallmark of champions.
Pakistan’s Woes Continue
For Pakistan, it was another story of missed opportunities.
Their first-innings batting was solid, but the inability to capitalize on big starts hurt them. Their bowlers did well in phases but failed to finish off the tail — a recurring problem. The middle order remains over-reliant on Babar Azam, and once he departs, the batting looks brittle.
Even at home, Pakistan have struggled to bat for long periods in the fourth innings — a worrying trend. This was their eighth collapse under 60 overs in their last ten second innings.
Something needs to change, and fast.
Series Leveled – Decider Awaits
With this win, South Africa not only leveled the series but also sent a strong message to the cricketing world. The third and final Test now promises to be a thrilling decider — a battle of momentum, mindset, and mastery.
The Proteas will carry massive confidence into the final clash, while Pakistan will have to regroup and address their batting frailties.
As the Rawalpindi crowd applauded the visitors’ fighting spirit, one thing became clear: Test cricket is alive, well, and as unpredictable as ever.
Final Scorecard Snapshot:
Pakistan:
1st Innings – 333 all out (Shan Masood 87, Saud Shakeel 66; Maharaj 7/101)
2nd Innings – 138 all out (Babar Azam 50; Harmer 6/50)
South Africa:
1st Innings – 404 all out (Mutasami 76, Rabada 50*; Shaheen 4/92)
2nd Innings – 73/2 (Markram 42, Rickelton 25*)
Result: South Africa won by 8 wickets
Series: Level 1-1
Player of the Match: Simon Harmer (6/50 and 1,000th first-class wicket)
