Pakistan mounted a resilient fightback on the third day of the second Test at Newlands, as Shan Masood and Babar Azam shared a record-breaking opening partnership.
The pair helped Pakistan recover after conceding a 421-run first innings deficit. By the close of play, Pakistan had reached 213 for one in their follow-on innings, still 208 runs short of forcing South Africa to bat again.
Masood remained unbeaten on 102, marking his sixth Test century, while Babar contributed 81. Babar's innings, however, came to an end when he was caught in the gully off Marco Jansen, just 14 minutes before the close of play.
Their stand of 205 was the highest ever for Pakistan in Tests against South Africa, surpassing Pakistan's first innings total of 194, which had prompted South African captain Temba Bavuma to enforce the follow-on.
Babar's performance marked the second significant partnership of the day for him. After Saim Ayub was ruled out due to a broken right ankle, Babar was forced to open the batting. In the first innings, Babar had made 58 and had added 98 runs for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 46. However, his dismissal in the first innings had triggered a collapse.
Pakistan resumed their innings on Sunday at 64 for three, and Babar batted solidly for 127 balls before his dismissal.
He stood in disbelief as he was caught behind by Kyle Verreynne off debutant Kwena Maphaka, shortly after the morning drinks break. Rizwan followed soon after, dismissed by Wiaan Mulder, edging a wild slog into his stumps.
In the second innings, Masood and Babar showed that the pitch, on which South Africa had scored 615, still offered no major challenges.
Their positive stroke play and good running between the wickets frustrated the South African bowlers. The frustration boiled over when Mulder, after bowling a ball which Babar struck back firmly, threw the ball at the batsman while he was on 56.
The incident led to a brief exchange of words involving wicketkeeper Verreynne and prompted an intervention by the umpires.
Masood’s century came off 159 balls, with 14 fours, as he continued to anchor Pakistan's recovery.
