Temba Bavuma of South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first against Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands in Cape Town. Pakistan, who have struggled in their previous matches against South Africa, will be desperate to pick up some wickets and maintain their momentum. However, they have conceded 69 runs in the first hour and are running low on patience and energy. Despite a brief comeback in the second hour, the visitors are still struggling to string together some dot balls and pick up wickets.
South Africa vs. Pakistan Test Series: South Africa Dominates in Second Test
The second Test match between South Africa and Pakistan at Newlands in Cape Town is underway, with South Africa currently in a dominant position.
Overview
Captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first for South Africa. The Proteas quickly racked up 69 runs in the first hour, putting Pakistan under immediate pressure. Despite a brief comeback in the second hour, Pakistan has struggled to contain the South African batsmen.
South Africa's top performer so far has been wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne, who scored a fluent 75 before being dismissed. Captain Bavuma and opener Sarel Erwee have also made valuable contributions.
Pakistan's bowlers have been unable to make any significant breakthroughs, with the exception of Shaheen Afridi, who has taken two wickets. The rest of the Pakistan bowling attack has been inconsistent and has failed to apply sustained pressure on the South African batsmen.
Background
The Test series between South Africa and Pakistan is a crucial one, with both teams looking to secure valuable World Test Championship points. South Africa currently holds a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first Test in Pretoria.
Pakistan has been struggling in recent Test matches against South Africa, having lost their last five encounters. They will be desperate to turn their fortunes around in this series and regain some lost pride.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the current score in the match?
South Africa is currently batting at 141/3 after 30 overs.
2. Who are the leading batsmen for South Africa?
Kyle Verreynne (75), Temba Bavuma (35*), and Sarel Erwee (18*) are the leading batsmen for South Africa.
3. Who has taken the most wickets for Pakistan?
Shaheen Afridi has taken two wickets for Pakistan.
4. What are the expectations for the remainder of the match?
South Africa is expected to continue to dominate the match and could potentially build a commanding lead by the end of the day. Pakistan will need to find a way to take wickets and limit South Africa's scoring if they want to stay in the contest.
5. What are the implications of this match for the World Test Championship?
A victory for South Africa would give them a significant boost in the World Test Championship standings, while a loss for Pakistan would all but end their hopes of reaching the final.
English all-rounder Ben Stokes was the star of the show as he bowled a total of 44 overs and took crucial wickets to secure a thrilling victory for England against India. In his post-match interview, Stokes admitted that he was physically exhausted, but he was determined to give his all for his country. The tense final day of the Test match was a true display of Stokes' dedication and passion for the game.
England emerged victorious over India in a close and dramatic third Test match, securing a 22-run win on the final day. Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 30 not out, the Indian team fell short of the target set by England. Skipper Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer played crucial roles for England in securing their victory. The series now stands at 2-1 in England's favor, with two more matches to go.
Despite a heroic effort from the lower order of the Indian cricket team, their valiant chase of 193 on the final day of the third Test match against England at Lord's fell agonizingly short. Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj showed immense determination and grit, but Shoaib Bashir's dismissal on the penultimate ball of the match sealed the deal for England, leaving India heartbroken. The visitors displayed remarkable courage and spirit in the face of adversity, making the match one that will be remembered for ages to come.
India's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja put up a gritty and determined performance in the third Test against England as he fought hard to keep India's hopes alive on the final day at Lord's. Jadeja's 25th fifty in Test cricket and eighth fifty-plus score in England sets him above Virat Kohli in the list of most fifty-plus knocks in the country, while also becoming just the third Indian player to achieve four consecutive fifty-plus scores in England. His heroic effort saved India from a certain defeat and has placed him amongst the elite of Indian cricket.
India captain Shubman Gill provides update on Rishabh Pant's injury after India's heartbreaking defeat in the third Test against England. Pant, who made 74 and 9 in the two innings, went for scans and is expected to recover for the next Test match. Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja and a brilliant fight from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, India fell short by 22 runs in a historic chase of 193.
Shoaib Bashir, England's offspinner, has been ruled out of the remaining matches in the England-India Test series after sustaining a finger fracture while attempting a catch on Day 3 of the third test. He scored two runs in the second innings but was mostly sidelined until he was called upon to bowl late on Day 5. He picked up the final wicket to secure a thrilling victory for England, but will now undergo surgery and be replaced by a replacement spinner for the remainder of the series.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir's emotional outburst caught on camera after England's Joe Root was dismissed by Washington Sundar during the ongoing third Test at Lord's has become an instant hit on social media. Sundar's sensational 4/22 helped India bundle out England for 192, setting a target of 193 for the visitors. Despite losing four wickets, India will need 135 runs on the final day to take the lead in the nail-biting contest.
Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan reflects on Karun Nair's form in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between England and India. He predicts that if India loses the current clash at Lord's, Nair's time in the starting XI will be up. Vaughan also emphasizes the importance of Rishabh Pant in the final day of the game and believes that if Pant scores more than 30 runs, India will secure a victory. With 135 runs needed for victory and six wickets left, the pressure is on both teams to come out on top.
Despite rumors of lack of interest in Test cricket, young players in the Indian Premier League have shown a strong drive and commitment to the format. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Akash Deep, and Nitish Reddy have sought out mentorship from experienced players like Joe Root and Josh Hazlewood to improve their skills. Even off-the-field, players like Kuldeep Yadav and Shubman Gill have been constantly training and studying their opponents, with the help of mentors like Kevin Pietersen. This shows that the younger generation of Indian cricketers values Test cricket just as much as past players, despite the format being devalued by those who run the game.
The world of cricket was stunned by England player Ben Stokes' incredible performance on a hot day in London. But what most people don't know is the troubled journey that led to his transformation from a self-destructive prodigy to a passionate and determined warrior on the field. Thanks to the help of a knowledgeable psychologist and an ingenious routine, Stokes learned how to cope with his emotions and find the confidence to shine on one of the biggest stages in cricket.