Babar Azam and Shan Masood (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: Shan Masood and Babar Azam built a record opening partnership after conceding a 421-run first innings deficit as Pakistan fought back on day three of the second Test at Newlands.
At the close of play, Pakistan were 213 for one in their follow-on innings. The visitors still need 208 runs to put South African to bat again.
Pakistan captain Masood remained unbeaten on 102, his sixth Test century. Babar contributed 81 runs, his third consecutive half-century of the series.
Babar's last international century came in August 2023. He missed out again on Sunday, caught in the gully off Marco Jansen's bowling shortly before stumps.
The Masood-Babar partnership of 205 runs was Pakistan's highest opening stand against South Africa in Tests. It also surpassed Pakistan's first innings total of 194, which prompted the follow-on from South African captain Temba Bavuma.
This was Babar's second notable partnership of the day.
He opened the batting f Pakistan after Saim Ayub's injury. Ayub fractured his right ankle and was ruled out of the match.
Babar scored 58 in the first innings. He and Mohammad
Rizwan (46) added 98 runs for the fourth wicket. Babar's dismissal triggered a Pakistan collapse.
Babar and Rizwan, resuming at 64 for three overnight, batted comfortably through the first hour. They effectively neutralized the threat posed by South Africa's main strike bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Jansen.
Debutant Kwena Maphaka, 18, broke the partnership five balls after the morning drinks break. Babar glanced a loose delivery down the leg side and was caught behind by Kyle Verreynne.
Babar appeared stunned by his dismissal after a solid 127-ball innings.
Five overs later, Rizwan charged down the pitch to Wiaan Mulder and edged a wild slog onto his stumps.
The remaining Pakistani batsmen offered little resistance.
Masood and Babar demonstrated in the second innings that the pitch, where South Africa amassed 615 runs, offered no significant challenges.
Their positive stroke play, combined with quick running between the wickets, kept the scoreboard ticking. They rarely appeared troubled.
South Africa's frustration was evident when Mulder threw the ball at Babar, then on 56, after a firmly struck shot back towards the bowler.
The incident sparked an exchange of words involving wicketkeeper Verreynne and required intervention from the umpires.
Masood, a left-hander, reached his century off 159 balls, hitting 14 fours in the process.
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