PAK vs SA 2025, 2nd Test Day 4 Review: Keshav Maharaj spins on Pindi deck as Proteas beat Pakistan to draw series

Pakistan 333 & 138 (Babar Azam 50, Salman Agha 28; Simon Harmer 6-50, Keshav Maharaj 2-34) lost to South Africa 404 & 73/2 (Aiden Markram 42, Ryan Rickelton 25*; Noman Ali 2-40) by 8 wickets

Keshav Maharaj-Simon Harmer dismantle Pakistan’s batting line-up

South Africa were at their best in Rawalpindi, registering an eight-wicket win over Pakistan to level the two-match Test series 1-1. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer dismantled Pakistan’s batting line-up, sealing a memorable victory and crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points for the visitors.

Babar Azam hammers fifty 

Coming into the Rawalpindi Test, South Africa had its back against the wall after losing the first Test in Lahore. However, under stand-in skipper Aiden Markram, the team made a resounding comeback. Pakistan began Day 4 in a poor position at 23 for 4 overnight, with Babar Azam unbeaten on 49. While the star batter reached his half-century early in the day, but was soon trapped LBW by Harmer.

Pakistan faces batting collapse

Harmer then removed Mohammad Rizwan and Noman Ali in quick succession, reaching the milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets. Meanwhile, Maharaj bagged his second five-wicket haul of the match as Pakistan were bundled out for 138, handing South Africa a mere 68-run target. In the chase, Markram smashed 42 off 45 balls, while Ryan Rickelton remained unbeaten on 25. The Proteas chased down the target in just 12.3 overs.

Senuran Muthusamy-Kagiso Rabada handed visitors much-needed lead

On Day 3, Pakistan’s fielding lapses allowed South Africa to stretch their first innings to 404, thanks to Senuran Muthusamy’s 89 and Kagiso Rabada’s 71 off 61 balls. From 235/8, the visitors’ tail pushed the lead to 71 runs. In Pakistan’s second innings, repeated batting collapses once again exposed their struggle against quality spin. Harmer finished with match figures of 8 for 125, while Maharaj’s 9 for 136 earned him the Player of the Match award. Muthusamy was named Player of the Series for his all-round brilliance.