UPDATE: Babar, Alam guide Pakistan to 145-3 in second Test
The South African Proteas made a good start when they picked up three quick wickets in the morning, but by tea it was the hosts who were in command.
Pakistani batsman Babar Azam was in good form for his team on the first day of play in the second Test against the Proteas in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images
Skipper Babar Azam and in-form Fawad Alam led Pakistan’s recovery after early jitters on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Azam hit an attractive 77 not out and Alam a solid 42 to lift Pakistan to 145-3 at tea from a precarious 22-3 after the home team won the toss and batted on a flat, brownish Rawalpindi Stadium pitch.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-51) and pacer Anrich Nortje (1-30) had left Pakistan struggling on 63-3 at lunch but Azam and Alam added 123 for the unbroken fourth wicket stand to steady the innings.
Azam, who managed just seven and 30 in the first Test, returned to his stylish best, having so far punched 12 boundaries in his 16th Test half-century.
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Alam, who scored a fighting hundred in the first Test, was steady with five hits to the fence.
Earlier, Pakistan, who won the toss and batted, reached 21 without loss before throwing away three wickets for one run in the space of 23 balls.
Maharaj, brought into the attack in just the ninth over, had opener Imran Butt caught behind for 15 and then trapped senior batsman Azhar Ali leg-before for nought in his next over.
Nortje then produced a sharp rising delivery to Abid Ali, (six) whose fended push was caught smartly at short-leg by Aiden Markram.
Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Karachi by seven wickets.
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