Pakistan ride their luck in Rawalpindi as Proteas fail to take their chances

The Proteas’ catching woes once again allowed Pakistan to race away to 95/1 in the first session of the second Test in Rawalpindi on Monday.

Poor catching let the hosts off the hook on the opening day of the series in Lahore last week, and the visitors were their own worst enemies again.

Tristan Stubbs spilled a straightforward chance in the very first over of the morning when Abdullah Shafique edged Kagiso Rabada to second slip. But instead of gobbling up the chance to provide the Proteas with the perfect start, the chance went begging. 

Shafique has certainly lived a charmed life with Marco Jansen bursting through the right-hander’s defences, but despite the ball hitting the stumps, the bails were not dislodged. 

He also offered Keshav Maharaj a tough caught and bowled chance with the left-armer diving across to his right to get both hands on the ball, but could not hold on to the chance.

The right-hander also survived an LBW decision after the on-field umpire adjudged him to be out before a review offered him a reprieve.

But Shafique has utilised his good fortune to good effect to build an unbroken 60-run second-wicket partnership with captain Shan Masood. The Pakistan skipper was positive from the moment he walked to crease to replace Imam-ul-Haq (17), who was clean bowled with Simon Harmer’s very first delivery of the innings. 

Masood was intent to hit Harmer out of the attack as he danced down the wicket on two occasions to dispatch the off-spinner for six into the mid-wicket stand.

Second Test, Day 1, Lunch

Pakistan: 95/1 (Shan Masood 38*, Shafique 37*, Harmer 1/19)

Pakistan won the toss, and elected to bat