Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman steady Pakistan after top-order stumbles

Pakistan reached 259 for five at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

At the close of play, Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 42, while Agha Salman remained not out on 10.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan lost their first wicket at 35, when Imam-ul-Haq departed for 17. Abdullah Shafique made 57, while skipper Shan Masood top-scored with 87. Babar Azam managed only 16, and Mohammad Rizwan contributed 19 before being dismissed at the team total of 212.

For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy claimed two wickets each, while Kagiso Rabada took one.

Pakistan made one change to their lineup, handing a debut to Asif Afridi in place of Hasan Ali.

Pakistan XI: Shan Masood (capt), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Asif Afridi.

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada.