The first test match between Pakistan and South Africa (PakvSA) has now entered in an interesting situation as South Africa finished the day on 187-4. The day started with Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali contributing with the bat and ended with both spinning their magic with the ball.

After a tough grind from Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, South Africa seemed to have worked their way into a pretty decent position. But the last half-hour has changed everything again. Nauman Ali breached through the defences of Rassie Van Der Dussen and broke the third wicket partnership which had added 127 till then. After that Yasir Shah was back in his element and dismissed Faf du Plessis and Markram as Proteas lost three wickets for just 10 runs.

There’s a new ball on offer in about five overs, and we’ve seen how the variable bounce comes into play when the ball is harder. With the lead only 29, Pakistan are in the driver’s seat once again.

Earlier, Pakistan further consolidated its position in the first Test against South Africa on Day 3. Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali added 55-runs for the tenth wicket and stretched Pakistan’s lead to 158. The home team started the day on 308 for 8.

Hasan Ali added 10 runs to his overnight score before he was cleaned up by Rabada, who reached his 200th Test wicket in his 44th match. He threatened the Pakistani batting line up throughout the innings and bagged 3 for 70 in 27 overs. Keshav Maharaj was relentless as ever and held one end up. He also picked up three wickets. Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi picked up 2 each.

The author is a member of staff and heads the sports and business desks at The Correspondent. He mainly lives in the shadows as a ghost writer so you may have read his work and not even known it. He can be reached at asadqasim@thecorrespondent.pk

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