Rawalpindi, Pakistan – South Africa defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the second Test in Rawalpindi on Thursday, drawing the two-match series 1-1. The victory was largely thanks to an outstanding performance by Simon Harmer, who took a maiden five-wicket haul, finishing with 6-50. In the process, the 36-year-old off-spinner also claimed his 1,000th first-class wicket on a deteriorating Rawalpindi stadium pitch.
Pakistan won the first Test match by 93 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Following the Test series, the two sides will compete in a three-match T20I series, with the first match scheduled for October 28. After the T20I series, there will be a three-match ODI series.
Resuming the fourth day on 94-4, Pakistan's batting lineup struggled in the morning session, adding only 44 runs to their overnight score. Harmer quickly shattered Pakistan's hopes of saving the Test by trapping Babar Azam leg-before for 50 with the fifth ball of the day. Nine runs later, Harmer had Mohammad Rizwan caught by Tony de Zorzi for 18. In his next over, the spinner dismissed Noman Ali, caught behind, claiming his 1,000th wicket in his 235th first-class match. Pakistan's last five wickets fell for just 33 runs. The team was dismissed for 138 in 49.3 overs.
Harmer is now the fourth South African to take 1,000 or more first-class wickets, following Mike Procter (1,417), Allan Donald (1,216), and Charlie Llewellyn (1,013). Keshav Maharaj took 2-34, backing up his 7-102 from the first innings. Maharaj and Harmer together accounted for 17 of the 20 Pakistan wickets that fell in the second Test.
South Africa chased down the 68-run target in just 12.3 overs, losing two wickets. Captain Aiden Markram scored 42 before being dismissed by Noman Ali. Tristan Stubbs was also dismissed by Ali for a duck. Ryan Rickelton sealed the win with a six off Sajid Khan, finishing with 25 not out. Noman Ali was Pakistan's most successful bowler, taking both wickets to fall and finishing the series with 14 wickets.
In the first innings, Pakistan scored 333, with Shan Masood (87), Saud Shakeel (66), and Abdullah Shafique (57) contributing half-centuries. South Africa responded with 404, gaining a crucial 71-run lead. Senuran Muthusamy (89 not out), Tristan Stubbs (76), and Kagiso Rabada (71) made significant contributions. Asif Afridi took 6-79 for Pakistan.
Keshav Maharaj was named Player of the Match. Following this result, Pakistan has slipped to fifth position in the World Test Championship (WTC) table, while South Africa has moved up to fourth.
