Great captaincy from Quinton de Kock saw him bring Keshav Maharaj into the attack early, which saw the spinner take two wickets, as Pakistan ended the 1st session on 63-3 on Day 1 of the second Test in Rawalpindi, writes Khalid Mohidin.
Batting first, see off the new ball and putting on a score of 300-plus would have been the mindset heading into the second Test match at Rawalpindi. There was some moisture in the pitch in the morning, but all-in-all the pitch was “rock hard” as described at the pitch report.
Pakistan followed that train of thought – they batted first after winning the toss.
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The initial moisture in the pitch because of the cool morning conditions, meant that seeing off the seamers in the first session unscathed would unlock the path to a solid total. That was the initial thought process, however.
The Proteas were not getting any results with their opening bowlers, particularly from Kagiso Rabada, so Quinton de Kock made the change by bringing Keshav Maharaj into the attack. He struck in his third over, by removing Imran Butt for 15 with a flighted delivery outside off, which took a touch off the face of the bat and went through to the keeper.
He struck again in his 4th over, removing Azhar Ali lbw. Brilliant captaincy from Quinton de Kock, who went against the initial readings of the condition and adapted accordingly, finding reward with his premier spinner.
The Proteas continued to throttle the Pakistan batters, Anrich Nortje evoking an extraordinary catch from Aiden Markram at short-leg.
But the danger wasn’t completely over, with Pakistan’s hero from the first Test Fawad Alam joining his skipper Babar Azam at the crease.
Pakistan finished the session on
PHOTO: EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
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