South Africa delivered a dominant all-round performance to crush Pakistan by eight wickets in the second and final Pakistan vs South Africa Test 2025, levelling the two-match series 1-1 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a modest target, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton gave South Africa a flying start, adding 50 runs for the opening wicket in quick time. Markram struck eight crisp boundaries in his 42-run knock off 45 balls before Noman Ali broke the stand.
The left-arm spinner struck again in the same over, dismissing Tristan Stubbs for a duck. However, the visitors were already within touching distance of victory. Rickelton remained unbeaten on 25 off 29 balls, featuring two fours and a six, as South Africa comfortably reached the target in just 12.3 overs.
Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 333 runs in 113.4 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. Skipper Shan Masood top-scored with a composed 87 off 176 balls, while Abdullah Shafique (57), Saud Shakeel (66), and Salman Ali Agha (45) added valuable contributions.
South Africa’s spinners dominated the innings, with Keshav Maharaj claiming a superb 7/102 in 42.4 overs. Simon Harmer picked up two wickets and Kagiso Rabada chipped in with one.
In reply, South Africa posted a commanding 404 runs in 119.3 overs, powered by a deep batting effort. Senuran Muthusamy anchored the innings with an unbeaten 89 off 155 deliveries, while Kagiso Rabada unleashed a fiery counterattack, smashing 71 off 61 balls with four fours and four sixes.
Tristan Stubbs (76 off 205) and Tony de Zorzi (55 off 93) also played crucial roles in extending the visitors’ lead to 71 runs.
For Pakistan, debutant Asif Afridi was the standout bowler with 6/79, while Noman Ali picked up two wickets.
Facing a deficit, Pakistan’s second innings started on a disastrous note. Simon Harmer removed both openers — Imam-ul-Haq (9) and Shan Masood (0) — before Rabada dismissed Abdullah Shafique (6), leaving Pakistan reeling at 16-3.
A brief resistance came from Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, who added 44 runs to steady the innings. However, Harmer continued to weave his magic, breaking the partnership and dismissing Saud for 11.
By the end of Day 3, Pakistan were 94-4, with Babar unbeaten on 49 and Rizwan on 16. On Day 4, Babar reached his 30th Test fifty but fell soon after for 50 off 87 balls. Harmer finished with 6/50, while Maharaj took two wickets as Pakistan were bundled out for 134, setting a small target for the Proteas.
Needing only 68 runs, South Africa made light work of the chase, wrapping up the match before lunch to seal a convincing win and level the Pakistan vs South Africa Test series 2025.
The visitors’ dominant display — powered by spin brilliance and lower-order resilience — capped off an impressive comeback after losing the first Test.
Keshav Maharaj: 7/102 & 2/— (Match: 9 wickets)
Simon Harmer: 6/50 (2nd innings heroics)
Asif Afridi: 6/79 (Pakistan’s standout bowler)
Shan Masood: 87 (Top scorer for Pakistan)
Senuran Muthusamy: 89* (Anchored SA’s first innings)
Kagiso Rabada: 71 off 61 balls (Crucial lower-order runs)