Kagiso Rabada smashes brilliant maiden Test half-century to push Proteas past 400

The Proteas lower-order have produced a miraculous comeback to steer the visitors into the lead at tea on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi

With Senuran Muthusamy (89 not out, 155 balls, 8x4) holding it all together from one end, it allowed Keshav Maharaj and the brilliant Kagiso Rabada to take the attack to Pakistan. 

Maharaj added 71 runs for the ninth wicket with Muthusamy before the former fell on his sword to be stumped for an invaluable 30.

But it was Rabada that delivered arguably the performance of the series with a swashbuckling 71 off just 60 balls as the Proteas last pair added 98 runs to take their team past Pakistan's 333 all out.

In fact, by the time Rabada, who now holds the record for the highest score by a South African No 11, was eventually caught in the deep off Asif Afridi - the debutant's sixth wicket of the innings - the Proteas had moved to 404 - a lead of 71. 

Rabada provided royal entertainment during his stay at crease, particularly during one Shaheen Shah over when he elegantly struck the left-arm pace bowler with the full face of the bat over his head for a towering six before unleashing another glorious cover drive. 

Even Shaheen could appreciate the beauty of his fellow fast bowler's strokes by nodding his approval. 

Rabada also struck further maximums off spinners Salman Agha and Sajid Khan. It helped him to his maiden Test half-century, eclipsing his previous career-best of 47.

Muthusamy, though, should be commended for his classy innings as he mixed patience with aggression that has given his side a real chance of levelling the series. 

Pakistan's frustrations heightened with every run and now face a challenge to firstly draw parity before setting the Proteas a target.

Second Test, Day 3, Tea

Pakistan: 333 all out

South Africa: 404 (Muthusamy 89*, Rabada 71, Asif Afridi 6/79)

South Africa leads by 71 runs