South Africa bounced back strongly to defeat Pakistan by eight wickets in the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, leveling the two-match series 1-1. After losing the first Test by 93 runs, the visitors turned the tables with a commanding performance led by spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, who shared 15 wickets between them across both innings.
Pakistan batted first and posted 333 runs, with captain Shan Masood scoring 87 and Saud Shakeel contributing 66. However, Maharaj’s brilliant seven-wicket haul (7/102) restricted the hosts. South Africa responded with 404, gaining a crucial 71-run lead thanks to impressive knocks from Senuran Muthusamy (89 not out) and Kagiso Rabada (71). Debutant Asif Afridi took six wickets for Pakistan but couldn’t prevent South Africa from building a substantial advantage.
Pakistan collapsed in their second innings, bowled out for just 138 as Harmer claimed 6/50. Chasing only 68 runs, South Africa cruised to victory with Ryan Rickelton (25*) and Aiden Markram (42) leading the way, reaching 73/2 in just 12.3 overs on the fourth morning.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-in-pakistan-2025-26-1501888/pakistan-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-1501894/full-scorecard)
Scorecard Summary
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 333 (113.4 overs) | 138 (49.3 overs) | Lost by 8 wickets |
| South Africa | 404 (119.3 overs) | 73/2 (12.3 overs) | Won by 8 wickets |
Match Details:
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- Dates: October 20-23, 2025
- Toss: Pakistan (chose to bat)
- Result: South Africa won by 8 wickets
- Player of the Match: Simon Harmer (2/75 & 6/50)
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keshav Maharaj | South Africa | Bowler | 7/102 (1st innings) + 2/34 (2nd innings) |
| Simon Harmer | South Africa | Bowler | 2/75 (1st innings) + 6/50 (2nd innings) |
| Senuran Muthusamy | South Africa | All-rounder | 89* (155 balls, 8 fours) |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | All-rounder | 71 (61 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Shan Masood | Pakistan | Batsman | 87 (176 balls, 2 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Asif Afridi | Pakistan | Bowler | 6/79 (debut match) |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | Batsman | 50 (87 balls, 7 fours) in 2nd innings |
Key Moments
- Day 1: Pakistan reached 259/5 at stumps with Masood (87) and Shafique (57) providing solid starts on a challenging Rawalpindi pitch.
- Day 2: Maharaj completed his seven-wicket haul to bowl Pakistan out for 333. South Africa responded cautiously, reaching 185/4 with Tristan Stubbs batting on 68.
- Day 3 – Morning Session: Debutant Asif Afridi, at 38 years old, became the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut, finishing with 6/79. However, Muthusamy and Rabada counterattacked brilliantly, adding 98 runs for the 10th wicket.
- Day 3 – Afternoon Session: South Africa’s lower order pushed their lead to 71 runs before Pakistan collapsed to 16/3 in response, with Harmer striking early blows.
- Day 4 – Morning Session: Harmer completed his devastating spell, taking six wickets in the morning to bowl Pakistan out for 138. South Africa chased down the 68-run target in just 12.3 overs, with Markram hitting eight boundaries in his aggressive 42.
Source: ESPNcricinfo Match Commentary
Match Analysis
South Africa’s victory was built on exceptional spin bowling and a remarkable lower-order fightback. After looking vulnerable at 210/7, Muthusamy held the innings together with a career-best 89 not out, while Rabada smashed his maiden Test fifty off just 38 balls with some breathtaking hitting.
The turning point came when South Africa gained a 71-run first-innings lead. On a deteriorating pitch favoring spin, this advantage proved decisive. Harmer, who reached the milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets during this match, was nearly unplayable in Pakistan’s second innings, claiming 6/50 with sharp turn and bounce.
Pakistan will rue their inability to contain South Africa’s tail and their batting collapse on the fourth morning. Despite Asif Afridi’s historic debut performance, the hosts lost their last six wickets for just 44 runs, setting South Africa a simple target.
The series now stands level at 1-1, with both teams having shown they can win in challenging Asian conditions. Pakistan’s reliance on spin was evident, but South Africa’s spinners proved even more effective when conditions suited them.
What’s Next
With the Test series tied 1-1, both teams will now turn their attention to the white-ball formats. The three-match T20I series begins on October 28, 2025, in Rawalpindi, followed by a three-match ODI series starting November 4 in Faisalabad.
For South Africa, this victory provides valuable momentum ahead of upcoming tours to India and Sri Lanka. The performances of Stubbs and de Zorzi against spin bowling will give the team confidence for those challenging assignments.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will need to address their batting fragility and find ways to support their spinners more effectively. The team’s World Test Championship hopes remain alive, but they’ll need more consistent performances in future series.