Pakistan vs South Africa Test 2025 opened with a dramatic Day 1 in Rawalpindi, where honours were shared between both sides in an old-fashioned display of Test cricket. The home team chose to bat first after winning the toss — a decision that mirrored last week’s match in Lahore.
South Africa struck early, taking five wickets while dropping four catches, keeping the game balanced throughout. Pakistan, on the other hand, made key changes, with 38-year-old debutant Asif Afridi replacing Hasan Ali. The visitors welcomed back Keshav Maharaj, who recovered from a groin strain and replaced Prenelan Subrayen.
Unlike Lahore, the Rawalpindi pitch offered less spin, allowing the seamers to dominate the early exchanges. Kagiso Rabada’s opening spell nearly produced a wicket when Abdullah Shafique edged a delivery to third slip, only for the chance to be dropped by Tristan Stubbs.
Marco Jansen impressed with movement off the pitch, while Maharaj and Simon Harmer took over during the middle session. Harmer produced one of the day’s best deliveries, turning one sharply to dismiss Imam-ul-Haq, clipping the top of off-stump in a classic off-spinner’s dismissal.
A resilient second-wicket partnership of 111 between Shafique and Shan Masood steadied Pakistan. Shafique made 57 from 146 balls, while Masood top-scored with 87 off 176 deliveries before being caught at square leg off Maharaj. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 42 at stumps, guiding Pakistan to 259/5 at the end of play.
Maharaj later said, “I think it was an even day. When the ball got softer, we managed to just go to old-fashioned Test cricket. One more wicket could’ve given us the upper hand.”
The first day of the Pakistan vs South Africa Test 2025 felt like a throwback to 1970s cricket — patient batting, controlled bowling, and little room for mistakes. As both teams prepare for Day 2, fans hope for more intensity and less grind in this gripping Rawalpindi contest.
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