How Senuran Muthusamy saved the Pakistan Test series
Senuran Muthusamy’s (pictured) match-winning performances, including a crucial 98-run partnership with Kagiso Rabada, led South Africa to a remarkable victory over Pakistan in the second Test, earning him the Player of the Series award. Picture: Aamir Qureshi/AFP
Image: Aamir Qureshi/AFP
Coming in with South Africa 1-0 down and five wickets lost and still 148 runs in arrears in the first innings of the second Test against Pakistan earlier this week, it seemed like Senuran Muthusamy would be part of a losing cause.
The second Test in Rawalpindi had been following a similar script to the first in Lahore.
Like the first match, Pakistan had made a decent first innings score of 333 and South Africa were battling in their reply.
When the allrounder Muthusamy strode to the middle, it seemed any lead of around 100 for Pakistan in the first innings would have been a decent effort from that position.
Muthusamy’s Gritty Performance Revives South Africa’s Hopes on Rawalpindi Pitch
However, that would still leave South Africa way behind the wearing Rawalpindi pitch, and their chances of levelling the two-match series would have been extremely slim.
While Tristan Stubbs (76) and Tony De Zorzi (55) had produced solid efforts higher in the order, the rest of the top six struggled.
Now, Muthusamy, who at 31 is still in the infancy of his Test career with six matches in the format before this clash, had it all to do.
The gritty, sometimes ungainly left-hander got stuck in and looked by far the most accomplished Proteas batsman as he scored at a decent rate.
In fact, his positive intent rubbed off on number 10 Keshav Maharaj and last man in Kagiso Rabada.
When Muthusamy was joined by Maharaj, the Proteas were just under 100 behind Pakistan.
Muthusamy’s Match-Turning Performances Lead South Africa to Victory and Earn Him Player of the Series
Muthusamy was already looking good as he shared in a 71-run stand for the eighth wicket with Maharaj (30).
But that was when the truly incredible partnership came, as Muthusamy put on 98 runs for the 11th wicket with Rabada. In the end, both players had their highest Test score, with Rabada the last man out for 71 while Muthusamy was unlucky not to bring up his first ton as he was left unbeaten on 89.
It allowed South Africa an incredible 71-run lead, thanks in no small part to Muthusamy’s match-turning exploits. In fact, South Africa put on 169 runs for their last two wickets, with Muthusamy the common factor.
This was especially significant considering he is not yet an automatic starter for the Proteas, and went with his 11 wickets with the ball in the series.
Of course there were other strong contributions on the spin-friendly pitch like Maharaj (7/102 & 2/34) and Simon Harmer (2/75 & 6/50) with the ball, but ultimately, Muthusamy was awarded Player of the Series - and there has seldom been a more fitting winner of such an accolade.