Test Cricket
Senuran Muthusamy’s maiden five-wicket haul put South Africa ahead before a late collapse shifted momentum to Pakistan in Lahore. His 6/117 gave the Proteas a strong start, but they slipped to 216-6, trailing by 162 runs. The team will need resilience and composure on Day 3 to stay in contention.
LAHORE, Pakistan — South Africa’s Proteas are now in a fight to regroup after a late batting collapse wiped away the foundations built by spin-bowling hero Senuran Muthusamy on Day 2 of the first Test in Lahore.
Muthusamy’s impressive 6 for 117 — his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket — had turned heads as Pakistan went to the crease first and were rolled for 378.  His performance filled the void left by the injured Keshav Maharaj and gave South Africa a foothold in contention. 
By stumps, however, the visitors were 216 for 6, trailing by 162 runs. The latter stages of their innings saw four wickets tumble for just 26 runs — a collapse that levelled the momentum back toward Pakistan. 
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Top order grit, but spin came back to bite
Tony de Zorzi’s unbeaten 81 and a fluent 71 from Ryan Rickelton had looked like stabilising forces. De Zorzi in particular stood firm when the spinners struck, combining careful defence and clever attacking options — notably the slog sweep to get past Sajid Khan.  Yet, as dusk drew close, the pressure of the turning surface told, and South Africa’s lower order crumbled. 
Muthusamy himself admitted the collapse was far from ideal, but urged belief and mental strength ahead of Day 3.
“It’s not ideal to lose those wickets toward end of play. In Test cricket these things happen. The challenge now is to show resilience, bat responsibly, and stay intent,” he said. 
He praised the top order and said that, despite the setback, there were plenty of positives to carry forward. 
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What’s next for the Proteas?
Heading into Day 3, South Africa must rebuild from this fragile position. They’ll need bowlers to strike early and force Pakistan into timber, and then bat smartly in the fourth innings. A repeat of the late breakdown would put them firmly on the back foot.
Muthusamy’s five-wicket effort is already being lauded domestically as a milestone — a sign that the Proteas’ spin reserves may be deeper than anticipated.  But if this Test is to stay alive, the batting order must rediscover its composure, grit and application under pressure.
As Broos (coach, no relation) would say in football, the moment now demands the kind of character that separates champions from also-rans. The Proteas must dig in — or risk watching their promising start fade.
