Twitter Reactions: South Africa take Pakistan by the scruff of their necks with a massive lead

Faf du Plessis led the way for the Proteas.

Published - 04 Jan 2019, 21:41 IST | Updated - 04 Jan 2019, 21:41 IST

2 Min Read

Shan Masood managed to dismiss Aiden Markram in the last ball of the first day, yet South Africa got themselves in a comfortable position in the second Test at Newlands in Cape Town as they were only 54 runs behind Pakistan’s score of 177. By the close of Day 2, Faf du Plessis and Co tightened their grip on the encounter and are currently leading by a significant 205 runs with three days left in the contest.

Du Plessis dominates

Hashim Amla, the overnight batsman, started proceedings with Theunis de Bruyn, but Mohammad Abbas got rid of the former for 24 in the day’s second over. A few overs later, left-arm speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi accounted for the wicket of de Bruyn. The onus was then on skipper du Plessis and Temba Bavuma to inject some momentum into the Proteas’ innings and they did so with expertise.

They played out the remaining overs in the first session as South Africa went into lunch with the score at 188/4. After the break, du Plessis accomplished his century in 111 balls. Bavuma also brought up his fifty in 103 balls. Their century-run partnership came in 200 balls as the hosts managed to set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Proteas’ dugout. At Tea, the home team got to a substantial 281 for four.

Pakistan keep straining

In the last session, du Plessis went on to score his ninth Test ton in 209 balls. Moreover, he cobbled together a partnership of 156 runs with Bavuma and by then the lead had already extended to 128 runs. Afridi broke the stand, dismissing Bavuma, who scored 75 patient runs from 162 balls with 10 boundaries. The 18-year-old Afridi also ended by taking the prized wicket of du Plessis for 103 runs.

In the meantime, wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock didn’t die wondering in the middle and remained not out on 55 runs from 72 balls. The left-handed batsman smacked seven scorching fours in his knock. Along with him is Vernon Philander, who’s no mug with the bat in hand. Going into the third day, Pakistan need to pull a rabbit out of the hat in order to make a strong comeback in the contest.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play

Played skipper! One of his most important👏👊#SSCricket
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 4, 2019

Slithering downhill, fast, Paks chances in this test.. summation so far: at times unlucky with the ball and most times mighty bad with the bat!!!!
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) January 4, 2019

You can't keep a world class player down. No surprises he bounces back with a response like this. Guts,discipline and determination! Well played @faf1307 #SAvPAK
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) January 4, 2019

What a Fafulous start to 2019 following a *pair* in the last Test of 2018! Lots of inspiration to start anew and just *du* it! #WhistlePodu @faf1307 🦁💛 https://t.co/IvP2RGICtJ
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2019

What a captain's innings by Faf Du-Plessis! #SAvPAK #takeabow
— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) January 4, 2019

Could be an argument for temba to move up to number 3 in the near future and blood another batsman if debryun doesn’t come good soon.. #justsaying
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 4, 2019

Shaheen Shah Afridi against Faf du Plesis
Balls: 45, Runs: 27, Wickets: 3, Bowling Strike Rate: 15.00, Average: 9.00, Batting Strike Rate: 60.00#BunnyAlert #SAvPAK
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) January 4, 2019

Faf du Plessis is first captain in Test history to score century in the first innings after bagging a pair. #RSAvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 4, 2019

While that means you lose out on a batsman,it gives you the opportunity to share workload with the bowlers,Faheem has decent pace and can contribute with the bat too,won’t take the place of anyone indispensable atm #SAvPak
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) January 4, 2019

I want everyone who always have something bad to say about Faf Du Plessis & Quinton De Kock to speak #SAvPAK
— Big Bad Wolf (@Chorky_Seane) January 4, 2019

Faf du plessis – Now Thats a bloody captain's comeback after a couple of zeros in the first match. #PakVsSA
— John Haseena Shah 🖤 (@johnHaseena) January 4, 2019

What a knock Faf du Plessis 🔥🔥 Captains knock 👌🏽
Would love seeing Quinnas getting some big runs #SAvPAK #SSCricket #ProteaFire
— Vani Pijoos (@vani_pijoos_9) January 4, 2019

Faf du Plessis out for 103. Congratulations on your first ever test 100 at Newlands. A beautiful way to redeem yourself from your first test batting. #SAvsPAK
— Mmaphuti Mashamaite (@Miss_Masha23) January 4, 2019