CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa’s youngest test cricketer, Kwena Maphaka, claimed a crucial wicket as Pakistan found themselves struggling at 155-6 on the third day of the second and final test on Sunday. The 18-year-old Maphaka celebrated a significant milestone by taking his maiden test wicket in his debut match, dismissing Babar Azam, who was caught down the leg side. This left the visitors still trailing by 460 runs at lunch.
Pakistan were effectively seven down as Saim Ayub was forced out of competitive cricket due to a fractured right ankle, an injury sustained on the first day, ruling him out for at least six weeks. At the break, Aamer Jamal was unbeaten on five, while Khurram Shahzad had yet to score, with Pakistan still needing 261 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (46) put up a strong resistance against the pace duo of Kagiso Rabada (2-28) and Marco Jansen (1-36) in the first hour after Pakistan resumed at a precarious 64-3. The premier batters extended their fourth-wicket partnership to 98 runs before Babar fell for 58 off 127 balls, with seven boundaries to his name, following Maphaka’s breakthrough.
After Babar’s dismissal, Pakistan lost two quick wickets. Rizwan fell to Wiaan Mulder, under-edging a delivery onto his stumps, before Salman Ali Agha (19) was expertly stumped by Keshav Maharaj off a flighted delivery on the stroke of lunch.
South Africa had earlier posted a formidable total of 615 in their first innings, with Ryan Rickelton scoring a career-best 259, supported by centuries from captain Temba Bavuma (106) and Kyle Verreynne (100).
The Proteas secured their place in June’s World Test Championship final against Australia after narrowly defeating Pakistan by two wickets in the first test at Centurion. Meanwhile, Australia booked their spot in the WTC final at Lord’s against South Africa following a six-wicket victory over India in the fifth and final test at Sydney earlier on Sunday. Australia also reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 3-1 series win against India, marking their first triumph in a decade.
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