BOWLERS AND BAVUMA made it South Africa’s day

On the brink of the first test Pakistan suffered a major blow when Harris Sohail was ruled out of the game with knee injury. He was replaced by Shan Masood. As Pakistan opted to bat on bouncy Centurion wicket.

Rabada struck early by sending Imam back to the hut for duck in the 2^nd over. Fakhar hit few cracking boundaries off Steyn but he eventually he got revenge by dismissing Fakhar for 12 and this wicket made him Southafrica’s most successful test bowler. Shan then joined by Azhar Ali and both steadied the ship before Shan was dismissed at 19 leaving Pakistan struggling at 74-3. Olivier then registered his 2^nd scalp as his dismissed Asad for 7. Azhar and Babar rescued Pakistan safely to the Lunch at 76-4 with Azhar batting on 31* and Babar on 6*

Soon after the lunch Olivier struck twice in an over to remove Azhar and Sarfaraz for 36 and 0 respectively,leaving Pakistan rattled at 87/6 but Babar on the other end kept scoring runs while the wickets continue to tumble as Olivier completed his 5fer by dismissing Amir. Yasir shah felt cheaply to Rabada but then Hasan Ali and Babar added 71 for the 9^th wicket stand. Babar struck 4 boundaries to Steyn in his commanding 71 runs innings taking Pakistan to a respectable total of 181. Olivier took 6 wickets while Rabada took 3 wickets and Steyn got 1 wicket.
.

South Africa’s openers made a comfortable start before Hasan Ali struck in 6^th over to dismiss to Markram followed by Amir dismissing Amla. Pakistan sensed a major comeback as Shaheen afridi dismissed Elgar and Du Plessis in the same over to leave South Africa in trouble at 43/4. De Bruyn and Bavuma then steadied their team’s ship by adding 69 runs for the 6^th wicket as Amir struck in the later part of the day dismissing de Bruyn for 29. South Africa ended the day at 127/5 with Steyn batting on 13 while Bavuma firm on 38.

Shaheen Afridi and Amir shared two wickets a piece while Hasan Ali got one wicket. South Africa trailing by 54 runs with 5 wickets in hand.