South Africa’s Marco Jansen halted Pakistan’s fightback on the rain-affected third day of the first Test at Centurion, leaving the tourists at 212 for eight at tea, with a slim 122-run lead.
Jansen claimed three wickets in four overs to complete a five-wicket haul, while Dane Paterson and Kagiso Rabada took a wicket each, giving the hosts the upper hand after Pakistan had made a solid start to the day.
Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam both made fifties, helping Pakistan recover from a two-run deficit at the start of play, which had been delayed until after lunch due to rain.
Shakeel was unbeaten on 66 at tea, but he was left with the tailenders as South Africa moved closer to dismissing Pakistan before starting their chase for victory.
Babar scored his first fifty in his last 20 Test innings, marking a much-needed return to form. Shakeel continued from where he left off in Pakistan’s last Test against England as they overcame South Africa’s 90-run first-innings lead and looked to set a challenging target for the hosts.
At 153-3, Pakistan seemed to unsettle their opponents, but a series of poor shots led to a collapse in momentum. Babar, having advanced from 16 not out overnight to 50, was caught by Corbin Bosch off a short and wide delivery from Jansen.
Mohammad Rizwan also fell cheaply, caught behind off a wayward delivery from Jansen, and Salman Ali Agha edged the next ball he faced to the keeper, bringing up Jansen’s fifth wicket.
Aamer Jamal was dismissed for 18 just before tea, caught pulling a short delivery from Paterson, while Naseem Shah was dismissed without scoring after nicking Rabada to the slips.
South Africa is now aiming for a win to secure a spot in next year’s World Test Championship final. If they fail, they will have another chance in the second Test against Pakistan, starting January 3 in Cape Town.
