Proteas end 18-year drought with emphatic Test win in Pakistan

The Proteas Men delivered a spectacular performance to claim an emphatic eight-wicket victory against Pakistan in the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, thus levelling the two-match series 1-1. 

This historic win marked the Proteas’ first Test success on Pakistani soil since 2007, breaking an 18-year drought. The decisive result arrived swiftly on the fourth day, achieved roughly two hours earlier than anticipated, just eight minutes after the scheduled lunch break.

The victory was underpinned by several big performances that highlighted the collective effort described by caretaker skipper Aiden Markram. 

Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the hero in the second innings, demolishing Pakistan’s batting order to claim figures of 6/50 in 20 overs. These figures represented Harmer’s career-best and his first five-wicket haul in Tests.

Complementing Harmer was Keshav Maharaj, who was named player of the match for his overall haul of nine wickets, including 7/102 in the first innings and two crucial breakthroughs in the second. Furthermore, Senuran Muthusamy was awarded Player of the Series for his 11 wickets in Lahore and his crucial, unbeaten 89 in Rawalpindi.

Arguably, the key turning point in the match, however, occurred on the third day when the Proteas’ tail wagged spectacularly, transforming a looming first-innings deficit into a vital 71-run lead. This was courtesy of a 98-run 10th-wicket partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Muthusamy.

The game unfolded at breakneck speed on Day 4, moving decisively in South Africa’s favour on a worn pitch that was now offering plenty of turn. Pakistan had resumed their second innings on 94/4, with a slender lead of 23. 

Popular home hero Babar Azam nudged a single off Harmer's second ball to reach his 50. But the tide turned immediately when Harmer snared the prized wicket of Babar with his fifth ball, trapping him leg before with a delivery that kept low and spun sharply, silencing the previously noisy crowd.

From there, Pakistan collapsed dramatically. Muhammad Rizwan was the next to fall, edging to Tony de Zorzi at short leg off Harmer. Harmer completed his five-for by inducing Noman Ali to edge behind – a wicket that also marked the off-spinner’s 1,000th victim in first-class cricket. 

With Pakistan rocking, a chaotic runout accounted for Shaheen Shah Afridi after a direct hit from Ryan Rickelton. Maharaj then cleaned up the tail, ensuring Pakistan were bowled out for 138. In a hectic period, six wickets fell for only 44 runs in 14.3 overs.

Left needing only 68 runs for victory, the Proteas approached the chase with great positivity. Caretaker captain Aiden Markram was particularly aggressive, employing the sweep, slog-sweep, and lofted drive to crack eight fours in his brisk knock of 42 off 45 balls. 

Although Markram and Tristan Stubbs fell to Noman Ali with victory in sight, the job was effectively done. Ryan Rickelton (25*) sealed the comprehensive victory in style, crashing his off-drive over the ropes to level the series. 

South Africa raced to the target in just 12.3 overs.