RAWALPINDI; South Africa clinched an emphatic eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, leveling the two-match series 1-1.
Chasing a modest target of 68 runs, the visitors reached their goal comfortably in just 12.3 overs. Skipper Aiden Markram led the way with 42 before being trapped leg-before by Noman Ali, while Tristan Stubbs fell for a duck in the same over.
Earlier, Pakistan resumed Day 4 at 94 for 4 but could add only 44 more runs before being bowled out for 138. Off-spinner Simon Harmer produced a match-winning performance, claiming six wickets for 50 runs — his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests — while also achieving the milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets.
Harmer dealt an early blow by trapping Pakistan captain Babar Azam leg-before soon after the batsman had completed his 30th Test half-century. Pakistan’s hopes were pinned on Babar ending his century drought since December 2022, but his dismissal opened the floodgates.
Mohammad Rizwan followed soon after, caught by Tony de Zorzi for 18, while Noman Ali fell for a duck — becoming Harmer’s 1,000th first-class victim. Shaheen Afridi was run out without scoring, while Keshav Maharaj cleaned up Salman Agha (28) and Sajid Khan (13) to wrap up the innings.
In Pakistan’s first innings, Shan Masood (87) and Saud Shakeel (66) helped the team reach 333. For South Africa, Maharaj was outstanding with figures of 7 for 102, supported by Harmer’s two wickets and one from Rabada.
South Africa replied strongly, posting 404 runs in their first innings. Senuran Muthusamy anchored the effort with a career-best unbeaten 89, while Rabada contributed a quick-fire 71 off 61 balls. For Pakistan, Asif Afridi was the standout bowler, taking 6 for 79.
Keshav Maharaj was named Man of the Match for his all-round performance, and Muthusamy was awarded Player of the Series. Pakistan had earlier taken the series lead after winning the first Test at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore — part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
