Proteas in with a fighting chance but Noman Ali looms large on the fourth day in Lahore

Sixteen wickets fell on an absorbing third day of the first Test in Lahore that left the Proteas requiring 226 runs for victory with eight wickets remaining. 

The fact that the World Test Champions still remain in the hunt is primarily due to the brilliance of Senuran Muthusamy. The left-arm spinner bagged his second five-for of the Test to follow up his six first innings wickets to complete a career-best match haul of 11/174. 

It was also the fourth-best ever bowling figures by a South African spin bowler in Test cricket. 

Muthusamy had an ably ally in Simon Harmer, with the off-spinner contributing 4/51 to help dismiss Pakistan for just 167 in their second innings. 

The home side lost their last seven wickets for just 48 runs, but due to their 109-run first innings lead were still able to set the Proteas a formidable 277 target.

Just how formidable became clear within the first six overs after the equally impressive Noman Ali clean bowled Proteas skipper Aiden Markram. Noman Ali  (2/20) was the chief destroyer in the Proteas’ first innings, with Markram’s scalp adding to his 6/112 of earlier the day. 

The veteran left-arm spinner was not done just yet, as he completely bamboozled Wiaan Mulder with the allrounder edging behind for a three-ball duck to leave the Proteas precariously placed at 18/2.

These were ominous signs, but it was left to centurion Tony de Zorzi and fellow first innings top-scorer Ryan Rickleton to subdue the Pakistanis and stem the imminent danger. 

De Zorzi looked in good touch, showing the patience and form that brought him his second Test century earlier in the morning. 

Rickelton, too, used the reverse-sweep to good effect to finish unbeaten on 29 not out to provide the World Test Champions with the belief that they can do the impossible on Wednesday. 

First Test, Day 3, Stumps

Pakistan: 378 & 167 (Babar 42, Muthusamy 5/57, Harmer 4/51)

South Africa: 269 & 51/2 (Rickleton 29*, De Zorzi 16*, Noman Ali 2/20)

South Africa require 226 runs for victory