CAPE TOWN, South Africa — In the second Test match against Pakistan, South Africa, the World Test Championship finalist, posted a robust score of 316-4 on Friday, thanks to centuries from both Ryan Rickelton and team captain Temba Bavuma.
Rickelton showcased a remarkable performance, remaining unbeaten at 176 from 232 deliveries, while Bavuma contributed significantly with a solid 106 runs on a pitch conducive to batting.
The two players formed a formidable partnership, adding 235 runs for the fourth wicket, which significantly exhausted the Pakistani bowlers. Pakistan had initially made an encouraging start, taking three wickets for just nine runs in the morning session, but managed to secure only one additional wicket after lunch; Bavuma fell victim to Mohammed Rizwan, who caught his fourth ball of the innings.
Pakistan faced a further setback when in-form batsman Saim Ayub had to leave the field due to a right ankle injury sustained during fielding in just the seventh over. He was taken to the hospital for scans, and the management disclosed that the results were sent to experts in London for a better understanding of the injury and expected recovery time.
With Tony de Zorzi sidelined due to a thigh strain, Rickelton stepped up as an opening batter. He took full advantage of the favorable dry conditions against a four-pronged Pakistani seam attack, hitting 21 fours and a six throughout his innings.
In the middle session, Rickelton and Bavuma combined for 112 runs, with Rickelton achieving his second Test century off just 135 balls by flourishing his 14th boundary before tea.
Bavuma, too, capitalized on loose deliveries, marking his first Test century against Pakistan with a swift single to midwicket. He was dismissed shortly thereafter, concluding his innings with nine boundaries and two sixes within 179 balls.
South Africa had earlier won the first Test at Centurion in under four days, securing their place in the WTC final. Starting at Newlands, the team faced early trouble by losing three quick wickets after a promising opening score of 61.
Aiden Markram had a rocky start; he barely escaped an LBW appeal from Mohammad Abbas and was subsequently dropped by substitute Abdullah Shafique. Markram scored 17 runs before he was caught on an inside edge by Khurram Shahzad.
Wiaan Mulder, one of three players South Africa rotated from their Centurion squad, fell prey to Abbas, who extracted a thick outside edge. Salman managed to get Tristan Stubbs out for a duck in his debut over.
However, as the day progressed, Rickelton struck his half-century in the last over before lunch alongside Bavuma, leading them to dominate the remainder of the day.
Kwena Maphaka was among South Africa’s changes, marking his debut as the youngest South African bowler at 18 years and 270 days old. The previous record was held by Paul Adams, who debuted at 18 years and 340 days back in 1995.
Having achieved six consecutive Test victories, the South African team decided to include the express pace of Maphaka as a replacement for Dane Paterson, who was dropped after bowling two consecutive five-wicket hauls at Centurion.
Corbin Bosch also missed out after a remarkable Test debut, where he not only took a wicket with his first delivery but also scored a commendable unbeaten half-century in the first innings, giving South Africa a crucial 90-run lead.
