Masood Leads Pakistan Fightback

Shan Masood and Babar Azam shared an opening partnership of 205 as Pakistan fought back after conceding a 421-run first innings deficit on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands.

Pakistan were 213-1 in their follow-on innings at close of play, still 208 runs short of making the Proteas bat again.

Pakistan captain Masood made 102, his sixth Test century, and Babar scored 81, his third successive half-century in the series.

Babar, who has not scored an international century since August 2023, fell short again when he was caught in the gully off Marco Jansen 14 minutes before the close of play.

Their partnership of 205 was the highest for the first wicket for Pakistan in Tests against South Africa. It also exceeded Pakistans first innings total of 194, which prompted Proteas captain Temba Bavuma to enforce the follow on.