South Africa battled hard on Day 2, turning the game on its head with a gritty lower-order fightback and a fiery bowling display that left Pakistan under pressure by stumps on 94-4 with a lead of 23.

After a hard-fought opening day, South Africa resumed play on 185-4, with Tristan Stubbs looking composed on 68 and carrying the visitors’ hopes of posting a competitive total*.

However, the morning session belonged to Pakistan’s debutant Asif Afridi, who turned the game on its head with a memorable five-wicket haul. Wickets fell at regular intervals as Afridi dismantled South Africa’s lower order — finding Kyle Verreynne’s edge to the keeper, trapping Stubbs (76) lbw, and continuing to make inroads through the tail.

Despite Afridi’s heroics, South Africa showed resilience, pushing past 200 and inching closer to the 300 mark. Afridi completed his five-for by trapping Simon Harmer lbw, leaving South Africa wobbling at 210-7.

Then came a spirited lower-order fightback. Senuran Muthusamy (48) and Kagiso Rabada combined for a record-breaking partnership. Rabada produced a remarkable innings, registering the fifth-highest score by a No. 11 in Test history — and the highest ever by a South African. Their 98-run stand also went down as the fourth-highest 10th-wicket partnership in Test cricket.

South Africa were eventually bowled out for 404, earning a 71-run first-innings lead.

In the final session, the Proteas bowlers took full advantage of the momentum. Simon Harmer (3-26) and Rabada (1-22) tore through Pakistan’s top order, leaving the hosts reeling at 60-4.

By stumps, Pakistan had fought to 94-4, holding a slender 23-run lead heading into Day 3 — setting up what promises to be a thrilling continuation of this see-saw Test match.