South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd Test, Day 2: Duanne Olivier and Hashim Amla put South Africa on top

It was another day dominated by the bowlers at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Saturday. Apart from Babar Azam and Sarfraz Ahmed, none of the Pakistan batsmen came to terms and conceded a huge lead on a tough pitch. The South African batsmen struggled but Amla, Bavuma, and de Kock ensured that the hosts end day 2 in a good position.

Starting on the overnight score of 17 for 2, Pakistan were a little lucky as South Africa dropped a few catches. Imam-u-Haq looked solid with his stroke play while night-watchmen Abbas struggled facing the South African pacers.

Oliver struck first by dismissing Abbas for 11 runs. Imam-ul-Haq and Abbas added 47 runs for the third wicket. Oliver then got the big wicket of Asad Shafiq for 0 to put Pakistan under huge pressure at 53 for 4. Babar Azam counter attacked the South African pace bowlers. Vernon Philander then dismissed Imam-ul-Haq for 43 runs. Imam and Babar Azam added 38 runs for the 5th wicket. Pakistan went into lunch at 111 for 5.

After the lunch break, both batsmen continued to play aggressive strokes against the South African pacers. Sarfraz Ahmed reached his half-century off 38 balls. When things were looking good for Pakistan, Oliver struck to dismiss Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed for 50.

The South African pacers bowlers then wrapped the tail to bowl out Pakistan for 185 runs in their first innings. In their second innings, Aiden Markram again looked good for a big score. Mohammad Amir dismissed Elgar for just five as South Africa went into the tea break at 25 for 1.

Pakistan struck early after the tea break as Mohammad Abbas dismissed Markram for 21. Faheem Ashraf dismissed Theunis de Bruyn and Zubayr Hamza in quick succession to reduce the host to 45 for 4. Bavuma and Hashim Amla played some lovely strokes to put the pressure back on the Pakistan bowlers.

Shadab Khan got the breakthrough as he dismissed Bavuma for 23 runs. Quinton de Kock played some lovely strokes while Hashim Amla looked solid on a tough batting pitch. Both of them helped South Africa finish day 2 on 135 for 5, which gives them a lead of 212 runs.

Brief scores: South Africa 262 in 77.4 overs (Aiden Markram 90, Theunis de Bruyn 49, Faheem Ashraf 3/57, Mohammad Aamir 2/36) and 135 for 5 in 37 overs (Hashim Amla 42*, Quinton de Kock 34*, Faheem Ashraf 2/19) lead Pakistan 185 in 49.4 overs (Sarfraz Ahmed 50, Babar Azam 49, Imam-ul-Haq 43, Oliver 5/51, Vernon Philander 3/43) by 212 runs.