F.P. Report
KARACHI: After scoring 220 runs in the first inning, visitors South Africa picked up four early wickets as Pakistan fell to 33-4 at stumps on the first day of the first Test here at National Stadium.
Despite at home turf, Pakistan batsmen struggled on a pitch that offered support to the spinners.
Kagiso Rabada removed Abid Ali and Imran Butt in successions to reduce Pakistan to 15-2. Abid could score only four runs while debutant Imran also couldn’t reach double, scoring only nine runs. Skipper Babar Azam also struggled and lost his wicket early to to spinner Keshav Maharaj scoring only seven runs.
Nightwatchman Shaheen Shah Afridi lost his wicket to Anrich Nortje. Seasoned middle-order batsman Fawad Alam and former skipper Azhar Ali scored five runs each at the end of the day.
Earlier, Pakistani bowlers made the most of their home conditions as they restricted South Africa to 220 runs.
Resuming after Tea at 179-6, South Africa lost four wickets quickly with Yasir Shah taking two wickets after coming back from Tea break, finishing his bowling spell with 3-54.
George Linde resisted and scored 35 runs off 64 balls with the help of five boundaries. Kagiso Rabada remained not out for 21.
Debutant Nauman Ali removed Dean Elgar (58) and skipper Quinton De Kock (15). He finished with the figures of 2-38.
Elgar and Faf Du Plessis survived the first session at 94-2 after South Africa lost two wickets for 63 runs.
Deciding to bat first after winning the toss, South Africa started off well with openers Elgar and Aiden Markram scoring 30 runs together. Debutant Imran Butt took a blinder in slips to remove Markram and give Pakistan a much-needed breakthrough. Markram walked off after scoring 13 off 16 with the help of three boundaries.
Rassie van der Dussen supported Elgar for a while as they raced visitors’ score to 63-1. Dussen got run-out after scoring 17 as Pakistan took a sigh of relief.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was the lone wicket-taker in the first session as both teams went for Lunch.
Yasir Shah bagged a wicket after coming from Lunch followed by Nauman who removed Elgar to lay down a solid foundation for Pakistan to grab opponents. Temba Bavuma was the second batter after Dussen who got run-out with Hasan Ali striking with a splendid flat throw from fine leg.
