After an absorbing opening day of hard-fought Test cricket, that could be how Pakistan regarded proceedings that should have left them well on top, but had a nasty sting lying in wait in the dwindling light in Karachi. After bowling South Africa out for 220 in just over two sessions, playing tricks on the minds of the visitors with the ball and the ground, Pakistan should have found itself sitting pretty. Instead, in the final hour, having missed their openers and Babar Azam cheaply, they are precariously poised at 33 for four.

Proteas ordinary batting against the hosts

South Africa had chosen to bat after winning the toss. Just before the toss could end up being a blessing in disguise for the impression the quicks would make towards the end of the day, Tabraiz Shamsi pulled up because of back spasms, and both sides went into the game with three seamers and two spinners.

Hasan Ali was welcomed back to Test cricket by Elgar and Aiden Markram with five fours in his first two overs to send South Africa off to a breezy start. Although refreshingly entertaining, this approach was punctuated by a few wickets, with Afridi getting one to seam away from Markram, Butt diving at second slip to his left to pocket the edge.

In a frantic middle session, the game was blown wide open as Pakistan ran through a South African middle-order whose plans to combat spin remained half-baked. It required a combination of Pakistani brilliance and self-destruction in South Africa, with visitors seeming to believe that a low-percentage spin attack was an acceptable substitute for neutralizing it. It seemed like an omen when Faf du Plessis was put down from the first ball after lunch. Without looking convincing, South Africa attempted to hit its way through the looming threat.

The South Africa batsman’s highest individual score came from Dean Elgar’s blade, which scored a well-made 58. And that meant visitors were only able to post a total of 220.

Excellent comeback by the visitors

When everyone was thinking that Pakistan was right on top a brilliant performance with the ball from South Africa shed that away. Looking at the South Africans’ first innings total (220), in friendly batting conditions. It was a poor effort from them. But the circumstances don’t seem so batting-friendly, as their bowlers have done a wonderful job here. 

It was a horror beginning with the bat, though, as Abid Ali was lost early and further collapses were also seen. Ultimately, they closed Day 1 at 33/4.

What to expect on day 2

Pakistan’s shortfall is 187 and they’re on a little shaky ground here. They definitely have good batting to come, but it remains to be seen if they can be durable at the bottom, following the collapses at the end. Will Pakistan get through the complete first innings of South Africa or will Rabada and co. again breathe fire?