Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam makes South Africa wait for the latter’s inevitable victory

By the close of play on the second day in Cape Town, South Africa had the upper hand against Pakistan with a lead of 205 runs. The Proteas managed to get a lead of 254 runs after the first innings. However, Sarfraz Ahmed and Co didn’t give up and managed to take a lead of 41 runs at the end of the third day. For the time being, it seems to be a matter of time before the home team close out the match.

Contribution for Proteas’ tail  

Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander started the day with an overnight score of 382 for six. But left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir came to the party and picked up three wickets. First, he nipped out de Kock after the keeper-batsman scored 59 runs from 78 balls with eight boundaries. Philander and Kagiso Rabada played a couple of useful hands of 16 and 11 respectively, and both were cleaned up by Amir.

Even Dale Steyn and Duanne Olivier scored 13 and 10 respectively to extend the lead. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Steyn and bowled South Africa out for 431. Pakistan didn’t get off to the best of starts in the second innings as Dale Steyn accounted for the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq, who could only score nine runs. Right-arm speedster Kagiso Rabada trapped Azhar Ali to pick up the second visitors’ wicket.

Masood, Shafiq and Babar score fifties

Nevertheless, Shan Masood and Asad Shafiq put on 132 for the third wicket. Steyn broke the stand by dismissing Masood, who scored 61 runs from 110 balls with nine fours. Shafiq also showed immense dedication in the middle and churned out a crucial knock of 88 runs from 118 and just when the right-hander was poised to get a century, Philander nipped him out, caught by de Kock behind the wickets.

Fakhar Zaman came to bat lower down the order and that tactic didn’t work as Rabada removed him. Babar Azam, with a knock of 72 runs from 87 balls, helped Pakistan brush off the deficit. He went back after getting dismissed by Rabada. Mohammad Abbas and Afridi played some agricultural strokes to make sure that the home team has to come back tomorrow to score the 41 runs for a series victory.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play

40 runs tomor 🤣 #SAvsPAK

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 5, 2019

Better effort by Pakistan,had their moments with @shani_official,@asadshafiq1986 @babarazam258 fifties,babar dominating Steyn once again,just losing this one due to that first innings score & perhaps the lack of an extra seamer #SAvPAK

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) January 5, 2019

They will come tomorrow to chase 41 runs. Okay. #SAvPAK

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 5, 2019

Babar Azam averages 56.1 in 16 innings in Tests since 2018. Of the 56 players to have played at least 15 innings in the time period, no player has a better average. #SAvPAK

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) January 5, 2019

Shaheen Shah Afridi is the first no. 11 batsman from Pakistan to hit a SIX since Zulfiqar Babar against West Indies in October 2016. #SAvPAK

— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) January 5, 2019

Someone on these streets suggested that Rabada and Steyn should lead tomorrows run chaise and you know what? I agree. Let them finish off their good work hle. Plus they both seem to have an inner batter just waiting to be let loose😂🤣😂#SAvPAK

— Allout (@NSimTB) January 5, 2019

South Africa need 41 runs to win.

The lowest target successfully defended in test cricket is 85 by Australia against England at Kenington Oval in 1882. So Pakistan needs to disturb a 136 year old record to win this test! #SAvPAK

— Rakesh Yousaf (@Rakeshstats) January 5, 2019

There has been a score of 43 all out in an ODI at Cape Town also 45 & 47 all outs in Test matches.
South Africa need 41 tomorrow!#JustSaying#SAvPAK

— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) January 5, 2019

Pak ne target dediya he 😂😂😂#SAvPAK

— R!🌸 (@D_o_Sheikh) January 5, 2019

Day ended well, played positive cricket and showed some grit against pace battery!!! High morales!!!#SAvPAK

— Syeda Amarah Zahid (@AmarahZahid) January 5, 2019

#SAvPAK someone should ask Mickey mouse Arthur today. Is pitch good or not ? 😂😂😂😂😂.

— Right Guy (@RightGuy9) January 5, 2019

Sunday ka din #SA team ko kal #overtime k lye bula lea.#SAvPAK

— Haris Mazhar (@HarisMazharRPh) January 5, 2019

#SAvPAK
Cricket rules sometimes are f………. 😑
Really everybody should come back for 40…. Runs???? Couldn't u just finish it today?

— Fanele Mbuyazi (@FaneleMbuyazi8) January 5, 2019

Enjoyable thrill & circus at end of today’s play😅 #SAvPak

— Zunaira Maryam (@ZaneeraMaryam) January 5, 2019

A fantastic commentator @KP24 is 💕#SAvPAK

— Faisal Hafeez (@fhafeez64) January 5, 2019

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