Pakistan Bags Unwanted Record in First Test vs South Africa

Pakistan were dismissed for 378 runs in their first innings on the second day of the opening Test against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The Shan Masood-led side faced a stunning collapse, losing five wickets for only sixteen runs after dominating the first day of opening game of two match Test series.

Senuran Muthusamy produced a remarkable display of spin bowling, claiming the final three wickets in rapid succession to end innings abruptly.

It also marked the first time in the twenty-first century that Pakistan lost three wickets in a single over to a spinner in the longest format of cricket.

Lower order batters Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan both departed without scoring, leaving Pakistan unable to strengthen their first innings total at home.

The innings also featured a rare occurrence, as five partnerships failed to register a single run against the disciplined bowling attack.

Read More: Pakistan Repeat Rare Batting Collapse Against South Africa

This was only the second time in Pakistan Test history that five partnerships produced no runs, both incidents coming against South Africa.

The previous instance occurred during the Test match in Johannesburg in 2019, under similar batting conditions.

Earlier in the innings, openers Imam ul Haq and captain Shan Masood provided stability, scoring 93 and 76 runs respectively to anchor the top order.

Mohammad Rizwan contributed a composed 75, while Salman Agha top-scored with 93 as Pakistan reached 313 for five before the collapse.

Muthusamy ended with six wickets, while Prenelan Subrayen took two, as South Africa bowled out Pakistan before the scheduled lunch break on the second day.