South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd Test, Day 4 Live Score

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, FOUR! How good a shot was that? Surely not in total control, but looked more like it nevertheless. Full from Jansen, outside off, Khurram Shahzad unsure of whether to play or leave it, looks to let the ball go past but is late to bring his bat back. Opens the bat face on the way and the ball squeezes past gully for a boundary. 

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, Fuller, on off, kept out by Shahzad towards cover.

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, Angles it into the batter, on a back of a good length, over middle, Shahzad dabs it out in front of mid on. 

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, A bouncer, but down the leg side, Khurram Shahzad ducks. Good work by the keeper, Kyle Verreynne, diving to his left.

Marco Jansen to Shan Masood, Full, on middle, Masood flicks it towards deep square leg for a single.

Marco Jansen to Shan Masood, On a length, around off, Shan Masood pushes it towards cover.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Marco Jansen. 10-0-56-1 so far.

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Quicker and fuller, on off, kept out by Shahzad.

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Loops it up a lot and keeps it outside off, Shahzad sees the flight and goes for a big swipe and misses. The ball scoots under his bat and goes past to the keeper to his right.

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Full and on leg, Khurram Shahzad tucks it to short leg. 

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Fuller, around off, from around the wicket, Khurram Shahzad just dead-bats it.

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Around off, watchfully defended.

Keshav Maharaj to Shan Masood, And just what South Africa wanted. Get the set batter off strike. Flighted, outside off, Shan Masood gets a big stride and pushes it down the ground for a single.

Another bright and sunny day welcomes us. Plenty of expectations from both sides. Runs galore? Wickets galore? Or a bit of both? The players make their way out to the middle. First job for South Africa - get rid of the nightwatchman. Shan Masood has a long chat with Khurram Shahzad. It will be spin to set things off for the day. Keshav Maharaj will bowl to the Pakistan skipper. 15-3-36-0 so far.

While we wait for the action to kick off here, there’s some exciting news from just across the cricketing globe. Afghanistan have secured a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in a thrilling Test match. The game had it all - momentum shifts, grit, and drama, but it was Afghanistan’s batting in the second innings, coupled with Rashid Khan’s magical bowling in the final innings, that proved decisive. Rashid picked up a sensational 7-wicket haul, dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting order and sealing the series 1-0 for Afghanistan. A remarkable performance and yet another milestone for a team that continues to grow in stature in the longest format!

South African bowlers struggled with discipline, conceding 23 no balls in the match so far, which has been a persistent issue for them. With tired bowlers and lapses in execution, South Africa will be eager to regroup quickly to regain control of the game. As Day 4 begins, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s batters to see if they can continue their fightback and make a game out of this. Will South Africa’s bowlers find a way to break through and enforce an innings defeat, or will Pakistan’s resilience turn this into an unforgettable Test match? The pitch is likely to assist the spinners as the day progresses, but Pakistan’s skipper Shan Masood will be keen to guide his team through the pressure. Stay tuned as the action resumes in just a few minutes!

Pakistan’s batting then collapsed from 118/3 to 194/9, lagging South Africa's total by 421 runs. The absence of Saim Ayub, who has been ruled out of the match due to a right ankle injury, only added to their batting woes. With the followon enforced, South African fans were hoping for a Day 3 finish but Pakistan had other plans for their second innings. Shan Masood and Babar Azam came out with a positive intent, playing with patience and determination. Shan brought up his sixth Test century, while Babar played a fluent knock of 81 before falling to Marco Jansen late in the day. 

The first two days belonged entirely to South Africa. They posted a mammoth 615 runs in their first innings, led by Ryan Rickelton, who scored his maiden double century. Contributions from skipper Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne, both of whom scored centuries, added to Pakistan’s woes. Day 3 started on a promising note for Pakistan, as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan added 98 runs for the fourth wicket in their first innings. However, debutant Kwena Maphaka got rid of Babar, and a reckless shot from Rizwan led to his dismissal shortly after. 

Hello and welcome to the fourth day of the second and final Test match between South Africa and Pakistan, being played at the iconic Newlands in Cape Town. After three days of cricket, the match is nicely poised. While South Africa dominated the early part of the game, Pakistan’s incredible fightback in their second innings has added a twist to the tale. Now trailing by 208 runs, Pakistan’s opening pair put up a commendable show, stitching together a massive 205-run partnership to keep their team in the contest after being forced to follow on.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

So, from a possible Day 3 finish, we head towards an highly anticipated Day 4. Pakistan are still 208 runs behind but this batting display in the second innings gives them and the viewers confidence that maybe, they could avoid an innings defeat and give South Africa something competitive to chase. But for that to happen, the visitors need to bat the whole of Day 4. South Africa will definitely be aiming to come back pretty hard and improve their lines and lengths and finish this off in two sessions. Will we have a Day 5? To find out the answer, you will have to join us as we take you through this journey. The first ball on Monday, 6th January, 2025 will be bowled at 8.30 am GMT but our buildup will begin much sooner. So do join us early. And you can also catch the action from the final day of the second Zimbabwe-Afghanistan Test. Enjoy. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Good bowling attack, yes. But did they bowl well? Not quite. The new-ball bowlers sprayed the ball around and then when the ball stopped moving after the first 5-odd overs, they got frustrated and let it get the better of them. That frustration turned into desperation as they resolved to sledging the opposition to try and earn a wicket but nothing helped. Add to it, their continuous array of no balls would have given headaches to the bowling coach and he has his task cut out for Monday, in the nets. As many as 13 no balls were bowled in the first innings and we have already seen 10 in this innings alone. Make that 23 in roughly 103 overs, means one nearly every 4 overs. Only Keshav Maharaj seemed to assert some control as he was getting nice purchase out of the rough created by the footmarks of the faster bowlers. 

Talking about Shan Masood, he has definitely led from the front. Wonderful to see a player execute an array of strokes when in form. Against the new ball, Masood drove to his heart's content and then, when the ball got older and the lengths got shortened, he resorted to pulling the balls. He is unbeaten on 102 and thanks to 14 boundaries, he is batting at a strike rate of 61, which is pretty decent in this format of the game. Pakistan themselves are going along at more than 4 runs per over, something which is commendable against a pretty good bowling attack.

Guess Pakistan themselves won't have an answer if someone asks them about the pitch getting better to bat or not. The deck has stayed the same throughout the day, but it is amazing to see what can mental resolve do. Skipper Shan Masood and Babar Azam, coming out to bat for the second time in this Test, having a mountain to climb, just put their head down and batted. They were helped with a few freebies by the South African seamers but they did not waste their start. Both made their starts count, adding a massive 205 for the opening wicket, giving immense confidence to the dressing room. Babar continued his form from the first innings, getting his second half century in the match, but just towards the closing stages of the day, lost his concentration and his wicket for 81.

A nervy end to the day but what a day of Test match cricket for Pakistan. We have seen two sides of the same team on Sunday. They had a torrid first half of the day, losing their way completely from a decent position, and having the followon enforced. But in reply, barring that last 15 minutes of the day, they have ended Day 3 pretty strongly.

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, Oh dear, that goes past the edge and the off stump! End of an incredible day as STUMPS have been called on DAY 3 with Pakistan at 213/1 trailing by 208 more runs. Marco Jansen lands it perfectly on a fuller length, just marginally outside off, and angles it into the batter. Khurram Shahzad with absolutely no foot movement has a feel for it away from the body and misses. The ball zips past the outside edge and mind you, not that far off from the off stump too. 

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, Very full, at the stumps, Khurram Shahzad blocks it out.

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, FOUR! Amidst all the nerves, Khurram Shahzad gets one through the gap for a boundary. On a length, outside off, Shahzad pokes his bat at it with a slightly angled face. Gets a thick outside edge that splits the slip cordon to go past the second slip to his right and finds the fence. 

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, Close to the outside edge! Shahzad is probably expecting a short ball and hence is way behind in the crease. The ball lands on a length and comes in with the angle but KS is standing away from the line of the ball, to the leg side. Pokes at the ball and cannot reach it, missing it by a distance.

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, Outside off, Khurram makes a Marnus Labuschagne type of leave. For those not aware, Labuschagne gets his bat down to play a shot but then, at the last moment, takes it away.

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, On a good length, outside off, Khurram Shahzad comes forward to defend. But the ball rises suddenly and takes him by surprise. He does well to fend it to the right of short leg and there is no one at fine leg. Masood sees that and calls him through, confident that they will get two and they do.

Last over of the day? Possibly. Especially with Marco Jansen to bowl. Only 3 minutes left. Can South Africa get one more wicket?

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Full, on middle and leg, Shahzad tucks it to square leg and takes a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, So nearly sneaked through. Full and on off, Khurram Shahzad plays it with a straight bat and just about manages to squeeze it out off the inner half of the bat. 

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Looped up full and on off, Khurram Shahzad taps it out to silly point.

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Down the leg side, Shahzad stutters a bit but manages to play it down in front of short leg.

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, The arm ball, outside off, pushed towards point.

Keshav Maharaj to Khurram Shahzad, Fuller, around off, watchfully defended.

So we will have a Day 5 in the second Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in Bulawayo. The visitors had taken the extra half hour, but suddenly the skies became gloomy and with thunder and lightning in the vicinity, safety of the players became paramount. Zimbabwe end the day on 205/8 and they need another 73 for a memorable win. Craig Ervine, the skipper, is leading from the front, with a valiant 53, but from where can he find support? Only Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani left for the hosts. Probably they need to go to the dressing room and check for the video of the final day of the 2005 Ashes Test in Edgbaston. Except the end, of course, considering that they are the batting team. 

Marco Jansen to Shan Masood, Good length, over middle, Shan Masood dabs it down the deck.

Marco Jansen to Shan Masood, Just got carried away a bit too much did Jansen. Puts extra effort on this ball and fires it full but way down leg. Kyle Verreynne does well to dive to that side and make a stop. 

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, Full and on the pads, Khurram Shahzad chips it to the right of mid on for a single and gets off the mark. 

Marco Jansen to Khurram Shahzad, Very full, but a bit wide outside off, Khurram Shahzad gets across and shoulders arms.

Nightwatchman time? Just 13 minutes left in the day's play. Indeed. Khurram Shahzad walks in at number 3, replacing Babar Azam.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, OUT! CAUGHT! At long last, South Africa get their 10th wicket of this match! Just when it seemed like Pakistan were well on course to end the day without losing any wicket in the second innings, Babar Azam loses his concentration. Was the carrot of a possible century dangling in front of his eyes? Marco Jansen came from around the wicket and bowed it on a length, a bit wide outside off. Could have been left alone, but Babar went for a big booming drive. Got a thick outside edge which went quickly behind. David Bedingham, who has been exceptional on the field, took a sharp catch at gully. The crowd finds its voice. Azam cannot believe what has happened. Starts trudging off now, for a wonderful 81, but he knows, he could have got more. PAKISTAN are 205/1 and trail by 216 runs. Maybe, there was some extra bounce in that dismissal as well, but it could have definitely been left alone.

Marco Jansen to Babar Azam, Landed around middle and off, punched back to the bowler.

Keshav Maharaj to Shan Masood, Floated full, on middle, Shan turns it to square leg.

Keshav Maharaj to Shan Masood, Full and on off, Masood makes a confident block.

Keshav Maharaj to Shan Masood, Full, outside off, Shan Masood drives it to long off. 

Keshav Maharaj to Shan Masood, Slower through the air, outside off, lands and turns in sharply, along with extra bounce. Masood adjusts well to play it down in front of short leg.