Pak vs SA: Pakistan comes up with strong response to South Africa’s follow-on

Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam frustrate South Africa with a record-breaking partnership as Pakistan fights back from a 208-run deficit.

PAK vs SA 2nd Test: South Africa limited Pakistan to just 194 runs in their opening innings. Apart from Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, no other batsmen managed to score more than 40 runs. Babar Azam smashed fifty (58), then trapped by Kwena Maphaka and Muhammad Rizwan contributed (46), dismissed by Wiaan Mulder. Pakistan collapsed following a 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

With Pakistan trailing well behind South Africa’s massive 615, the Proteas opted to enforce the follow-on. The experienced pair of Babar Azam and Shan Masood grabbed to the occasion when the Green Shirts was made to follow on after being bowled out for just 194 runs in the first innings.

Following a follow-on Strategy, Shan Masood and Babar Azam put on a record-breaking 205-run partnership for the first wicket, providing Pakistan with a solid and steady start. This is now the highest first-wicket partnership for Pakistan in a follow-on scenario. Skipper Shan Masood smashed a century and was still on the crease while Babar Azam contributed 80-plus runs, then dismissed by Marco Jansen.

However, Pakistan still trails by 208 runs after being asked to follow on, with 1 wicket loss. Shan Masood, still at the crease, will resume batting on Day 4 alongside Khurram Shahzad.

What Is a Follow-On Strategy?

The follow-on strategy in cricket is when the team that bats second is asked to bat again immediately after their first innings, without the need for a break. This usually happens when the team that batted first has a significant lead, typically 200 or more runs. This Strategy is used to apply pressure, as the team that follows on has to bat again while fatigued, with little time to recover.