Pakistan delay South Africa victory push
Half-centuries from Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam all offered solace for Pakistan, but a customary collapse from the lower middle order all-but ensured the series for the Proteas. Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada each picked up four scalps.
South Africa added 49 to their overnight score of 382/6, Mohammad Amir (4/88) grabbing Quinton de Kock's wicket early before seeing off Vernon Philander and Rabada. Steyn and Duanne Olivier added 23 more before Shaheen Afridi wrapped things up for 431, with South Africa claiming a lead of 254.
Steyn swapped bat for leather and sent Imam-ul-Haq packing in the fourth over of Pakistan’s reply, the left-hander swiping in ungainly fashion to a full one and edging to third slip. Fellow opener Azhar Ali was also sent back swiftly after being pinned leg-before by Rabada for 10.
It seemed that Pakistan were set to fold as they have done throughout the series. Instead, their middle order dug in to avert an innings defeat. Masood continued his good form with the bat, and a confident display from under-fire Asad Shafiq helped form a 132-run stand.
Masood (61) was then forced to depart in a similar manner to his first innings dismissal, fishing outside off stump as his concentration momentarily slipped. A fired-up Steyn picked up the crucial scalp.
Shafiq fell for a resurgent 88 shortly before his side reached the 200-mark for the first time in the series, as Philander grabbed his first wicket, and when Fakhar Zaman, Sarfraz Ahmed Amir and Yasir Shah all perished in quick succession, it was left to Babar to try and force the home side to bat again.
His stoic 72 was enough to give Pakistan a slim lead before Rabada forced him to nick off late into the evening, while Mohammad Abbas and Afridi’s desperate late stand of 24 could only muster a 40-run advantage. They did at least extend the game into a fourth day, which is more than they managed in the first game of the series, but they surely won’t be able to prevent the result staying the same.