Pakistan ended the opening day of the second and final Test against South Africa at 259/5 in their first innings, showcasing resilience and a steady batting display at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Resuming the final session at 177-3, Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel anchored Pakistan’s innings, steadily piling on runs as Masood edged closer to a well-deserved century. Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark in the 70th over, with the pair contributing 45 runs for the fourth wicket before Keshav Maharaj struck, dismissing Masood for 87 off 176 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes. Pakistan slipped to 212-4 in 73.3 overs.

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2025

Mohammad Rizwan joined Shakeel at the crease, giving Pakistan a much-needed push, but he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada for 19 runs off 39 balls, including two crisp boundaries. Pakistan will resume the second day with Saud Shakeel unbeaten on 42 off 105 balls, alongside Salman Ali Agha, who is 10 off 25 deliveries.

For South Africa, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj picked up two wickets each, while Kagiso Rabada claimed one.

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2025

Earlier in the day, Pakistan got off to a confident start as Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique added quick runs, finding the boundary with ease in the morning session. Imam was dismissed for 17 off 35 balls, bowled by Harmer, ending a 35-run partnership in the 13th over.

Abdullah Shafique continued positively, combining aggression with patience, before Shan Masood joined him and immediately made an impact, smashing two towering sixes. The duo took Pakistan to 65-1 after 20 overs and added 50 runs by the 25th over, keeping the scoreboard ticking before lunch.

After lunch, Masood and Shafique continued to build momentum, adding 111 runs for the second wicket and pushing Pakistan past 100 runs. Masood reached his 13th Test fifty, while Shafique registered his sixth. Harmer broke the partnership, dismissing Shafique for 57 off 146 balls.

Babar Azam then came in, but could only manage 16 runs off 22 balls before Maharaj got him out, leaving Pakistan at 167-3 in 56 overs.