Markram Leads South Africa's Fightback as Pakistan's Lead Shrinks on Day 2
South Africa continued to close in on Pakistan's slender lead, adding 98 runs in the first session on Day 2 at Centurion. Aiden Markram, resuming from his overnight score of 49, remained unbeaten at 81 at Lunch. The hosts are now 180/5, trailing by just 31 runs. Despite Pakistan claiming key wickets of Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham, the session remained largely challenging for the visitors.
The over-rate once again came under scrutiny, with only 24 overs bowled during the session, following the 79 overs on Day 1. Pakistan's bowlers were off the mark in the early stages, allowing Markram and Bavuma to capitalize on loose deliveries. Markram reached his half-century with a couple of elegant boundaries off Naseem Shah, driving through the covers.
At the other end, Bavuma was tested by Mohammad Abbas, who got a couple of deliveries to hold its line. Naseem also found some success, inducing an edge from Bavuma, but the ball raced to the boundary between third slip and gully. The South African pair took advantage of Pakistan's wayward bowling, regularly finding the boundary over the next few overs.
Aamer Jamal, the first-change bowler, was ineffective early on, lacking pace and failing to apply sufficient pressure. By the time drinks were taken, South Africa had added 51 runs. Shortly after the break, Jamal dismissed Bavuma for 31, with the batter nicking one to the keeper. This brought an end to their 70-run stand.
David Bedingham, the new batter, began confidently, hitting Abbas for a couple of well-timed boundaries. Abbas strayed in line, allowing Bedingham to find the boundary again with a ball that ricocheted off his pads. Bedingham continued to score freely as Pakistan's bowlers—Naseem and Khurram Shahzad—bowled straight lines to him. Pakistan also lost a review when an LBW appeal against Bedingham was deemed to be going down leg.
However, against the run of play, Bedingham played a loose shot just before Lunch and was caught at first slip, bringing an abrupt end to his innings.
Brief Scores:
- Pakistan: 211 (Kamran Ghulam 54, Aamer Jamal 28; Dane Paterson 5-35, Corbin Bosch 4-24)
- South Africa: 180/5 (Aiden Markram 81*, Temba Bavuma 31; Khurram Shahzad 2-28, Aamer Jamal 1-22)
- South Africa trails by 31 runs.
