South Africa need 226 runs to win as Pakistan collapse on Day 3 of Lahore Test

Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered once again on Tuesday, leaving South Africa needing 226 more runs to win the opening Test of the two-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium. The visitors closed Day 3 at 51 for 2, with spinner Noman Ali claiming both wickets.

Set a target of 277, South Africa faced early pressure as Noman removed Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram. However, the visitors remain well-placed heading into Day 4, with eight wickets in hand.

Earlier, Pakistan squandered a strong position after collapsing from 150 for 4 to 167 all out in their second innings. Spinner Senuran Muthusamy and off-spinner Simon Harmer exploited the turning surface to dismantle the middle and lower order.

Muthusamy starred with figures of 5 for 57, taking his match tally to 11 wickets, while Harmer returned 4 for 51. Kagiso Rabada picked up the remaining wicket, dismissing Babar Azam for 42.

Abdullah Shafique provided a brisk start with 41, while Saud Shakeel contributed 38. But after Babar’s dismissal, the lower order offered little resistance as Pakistan’s innings folded within 46.1 overs.