Pakistan versus South Africa Test Series, 2024-2025

1st Test

Day-2 Morning Session Highlights:

Aiden Markram has edged closer to a century as South Africa aim for a lead

At The Lunch of Day-2:

Pakistan scored 211 (1st Innings), where as South Africa scored 180/5 (1st Innings).

So, finally Pakistan lead by 31 runs.

South Africa continued to chip away at Pakistan’s slim lead, adding 98 runs in the first session of Day 2 in Centurion.

Aiden Markram, resuming from his overnight score of 49, remained unbeaten at Lunch on 81.

The hosts were 180 for 5, trailing by just 31 runs.

However, Pakistan managed to pick up crucial wickets, dismissing Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham to provide some relief in what was otherwise a difficult session for them.

Just 24 overs were bowled in the session, once again highlighting the slow over-rates in the Test match, following the 79 overs bowled on Day 1.

Pakistan struggled with their line and length in the opening hour, allowing Markram and Bavuma to score freely.

Markram reached his half-century with two boundaries off Naseem Shah, driving the ball beautifully through the covers.

Bavuma, at the other end, faced some challenge from Mohammad Abbas, who managed to get a couple of deliveries to hold their line.

Naseem then induced an edge from Bavuma, which raced to the boundary between third slip and gully.

South Africa capitalized on some loose deliveries, finding the boundary consistently over the next four overs.

Aamer Jamal, Pakistan’s first-change bowler, was also ineffective, lacking the necessary pace to trouble the South African batsmen.

By the time drinks were taken, the hosts had added 51 runs.

However, just after the break, Jamal dismissed Bavuma for 31, caught behind by the wicketkeeper, ending their 70-run partnership.

David Bedingham then came to the crease and, after a few initial cautious strokes, drove Abbas to the boundary for a couple of well-timed fours.

Abbas, straying off line, allowed another four as the ball ricocheted off Bedingham’s pads.

Bedingham continued to find the boundary with ease as Naseem and Shahzad bowled straight lines, although Pakistan wasted a review for an LBW appeal that was going down the leg side.

Against the run of play, just before Lunch, Bedingham played a loose shot, nicking it to first slip for 25.