The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium buzzed with anticipation as Pakistan and South Africa locked horns in the second and final Test of their two-match series, kicking off on October 20, 2025. With the hosts leading 1-0 after a comprehensive 93-run victory in Lahore, the stakes were sky-high for both sides. South Africa, the reigning World Test Championship (WTC) winners, entered the contest desperate to level the series, while Pakistan eyed a clean sweep under the captaincy of Shan Masood.
Day 1 saw Pakistan off to a solid start, reaching 95 for 1 wicket at the end of the 29.6th over. The opening pair, Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq, set the tone early, with Shafique looking particularly assured at the crease. The only wicket to fall was that of Imam-ul-Haq, but the hosts maintained composure, with captain Shan Masood joining Shafique to steady the innings. As the overs ticked by, Pakistan’s batting looked disciplined and purposeful, refusing to let the South African attack settle.
The match began at 10:30 AM IST after South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram won the toss. The visitors, smarting from their defeat in Lahore, made a significant change to their lineup: Keshav Maharaj, who missed the first Test, returned to bolster the spin department. Senuran Muthusamy, who had impressed with the ball in the opener, retained his spot, giving South Africa a two-pronged spin attack to counter Rawalpindi’s spin-friendly pitch. Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Simon Harmer rounded out a bowling unit eager to redeem itself after a lackluster showing in the first Test.
Pakistan’s squad, led by Shan Masood, featured familiar faces. The top order included Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq, followed by the ever-reliable Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel. Mohammad Rizwan donned the wicketkeeper’s gloves, while the all-round options of Salman Agha and the left-arm spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan provided depth. Shaheen Shah Afridi spearheaded the pace attack, with Asif Afridi rounding out the XI. Notably, the management placed high expectations on Noman Ali, who had spun a web around the South African batters in Lahore, snaring a remarkable 10-wicket haul in the first Test.
As the first session unfolded, South Africa’s bowlers probed for early breakthroughs. Marco Jansen tested Abdullah Shafique with a mix of short-pitched deliveries and full-length balls, but the opener looked unfazed. In one over, Jansen bent his back to deliver a sharp bouncer, only for Shafique to duck under it calmly. The South African fielders, including Tony de Zorzi at short leg, remained alert, but Pakistan’s batsmen rotated the strike with ease. Keshav Maharaj, returning to the attack, tossed the ball up outside off, but Shan Masood and Shafique responded with solid defensive strokes and the occasional flick for singles.
The pitch, as anticipated, offered assistance to the spinners. Maharaj and Muthusamy both found turn, but the Pakistani batsmen played with soft hands, minimizing risk. In the 24th over, Senuran Muthusamy drew Masood down the track, only for the captain to loft the ball over mid-off for a boundary—one of the morning’s highlights that drew cheers from the Rawalpindi crowd. Pakistan’s approach was measured, refusing to be drawn into rash shots, and the scoreboard ticked along steadily.
By the 30th over, Pakistan had reached 95 for 1, with Shafique anchoring the innings and Masood content to rotate the strike. The South African bowlers, led by Jansen and Maharaj, toiled hard but found little joy on a surface that looked increasingly friendly for batting as the sun climbed higher. There were moments of drama—like a well-judged review by Shafique after being given out LBW, only for UltraEdge to confirm a clear inside edge—but overall, the hosts looked in control.
For South Africa, the challenge was clear. Their batting had faltered in the first Test, with the Proteas unable to handle the spin threat posed by Noman Ali and Sajid Khan. Stand-in skipper Aiden Markram, who admitted to playing an “abysmal shot” in the second innings at Lahore, was under pressure to lead from the front. Speaking before the match, Markram remarked, “We know we let ourselves down in the first Test. The conditions are tough, but we’re ready to fight and show why we’re the World Test Champions.”
The return of Keshav Maharaj was seen as a crucial boost. South Africa’s team management hoped that his experience on subcontinental pitches would make a difference, especially with the Rawalpindi surface expected to break up as the match progressed. “Kesh is a world-class spinner, and his presence gives us more options,” said Markram, underscoring the importance of the Proteas’ spin arsenal.
On the other side, Pakistan’s confidence was sky-high. Captain Shan Masood emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum after their 93-run win in Lahore. “We played disciplined cricket in the first Test, and the key now is to keep our focus. South Africa is a top side, and we can’t afford to relax,” Masood stated before the toss. The spotlight was also on Babar Azam, whose elegant stroke play remains a crowd favorite, and on the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, whose performances could again be pivotal as the match wears on.
Fans following the action had to rely on digital platforms, as there was no live telecast of the match on television. The match was available for streaming on the FanCode app and website, with ball-by-ball updates and live scorecards keeping enthusiasts glued to their devices. For viewers in India, however, there was no live broadcast or streaming option, making online score updates the only way to keep pace with the unfolding drama in Rawalpindi.
As Day 1 progressed, Pakistan’s steady start put them in a commanding position, but with four days of cricket left, the contest remained wide open. The Rawalpindi pitch, historically known to deteriorate and offer increasing turn, promised to bring the spinners into play as the match advanced. South Africa, with their reinforced spin attack, would be eager to exploit any cracks that appear, while Pakistan’s batsmen aimed to build a formidable first-innings total.
With both teams fielding their strongest XIs and the series on the line, the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is shaping up to be a riveting battle of skill, patience, and nerves. Can South Africa bounce back and justify their WTC champion status, or will Pakistan’s momentum carry them to a series sweep? For now, the action is unfolding, and cricket fans will be watching every ball with bated breath.
As stumps approached on Day 1, Pakistan’s strong foundation set the stage for an enthralling contest ahead. With the series outcome hanging in the balance, Rawalpindi remains the center of the cricketing world’s attention.
