There was a strange twist in Rawalpindi today – Pakistan’s new bowler Asif Afridi was left stunned after the lower order he had knocked over came back to life. Pakistan were about to take the lead when the lower order hit back for South Africa, and they took the lead of 71 runs from 190 for 8. Senuran Muthusamy (89) and Kagiso Rabada (54 off 38 balls) created an odd combination of technical skill and defiant batting. Rabada’s first Test 50 and Muthusamy’s 89 were an example of how you can turn the tables in Test Cricket, where the difference between dominating a Test match and being dominated is only one tail-end partnership.
A Morning Made for Pakistan, an Afternoon That Wasn’t
Pakistan was full of bravado at the start of this match. Asif Afridi, at 38 years of age, was weaving a spell of his own, taking a debutant five-for that had South Africa reeling. A couple of early wickets and a sharp lbw against Harmer made it feel like a smooth ride for Pakistan to a first-innings lead. But then came Muthusamy – calm, composed, and completely unmoved by the efforts of Pakistan’s scriptwriters. By the time Maharaj followed and then Rabada, he had transformed South Africa’s innings from one of damage control to dominance. What began as survival covertly morphed into counterattack.
Rabada’s Bat Finds Its Voice
Kagiso Rabada has for many years been South Africa’s strike force with the ball – aggressive, intimidating, expressive – but has not had the same level of expression at the batting crease. That all changed on this day with his 71 off 51 balls, which was a statement from one man who is normally quiet in the silence of the crease. His 71 was not just a cameo; it was a rebellion in disguise of rhythm and timing. It was almost cathartic to watch him swing the ball with such precision (not panicking), a slog-sweep here and a straight hit there, and before you could say ‘Pakistan’, their bowlers were under attack from their former tormentor-in-chief.
Muthusamy: The Forgotten Anchor Who Refused to Blink
Senuran Muthusamy stole the show by writing the core of the story. He stood like an anchor from the very beginning of the day’s play through to the second session’s critical turnaround. Muthusamy’s 89 was no flashy score; it was smart and played with intelligence. Muthusamy used his feet to sweep the bowlers, spinning the ball; he demonstrated control as he absorbed the constant pressure of the opposition’s bowling, all of which echoed the calm demeanor of a modern-day test veteran (think of Hashim Amla at half-speed). The two partnerships of 71 and 98 runs between the ninth and tenth wickets are historical events, the second time since 1998, the last-wicket pair has produced both partnership totals of fifty or greater in a test match.
It was an example of the most sobering Test cricket fact: Dominance is transitory, Defiance is Endless. A day when Pakistan had the game in its hands, but it slipped through the fingers of two men who did not want to follow the script. Muthusamy has shown that patience can be powerful; Rabada has reminded everyone that the lower-order batsmen will no longer be passengers. Whatever happens with this game, South Africa has already earned something greater than any result could deliver: Respect and, more importantly, a psychological advantage that could remain well past the end of this test series.
Key Takeaway:
South Africa’s revival wasn’t luck; it was lower-order literacy in a format that still rewards resilience.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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