LAHORE: South Africa’s pursuit of 277 runs dissolved rapidly on the fourth morning of the Lahore Test, leaving Pakistan in a dominant position with the visitors staggering at 137 for 6 by the lunch break.
A monumental 140 runs are still required for a win that now appears highly unlikely.
The session began with the immediate loss of first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi for 16, trapped LBW by Shaheen Afridi on the third ball of the day.
Spinner Noman Ali then got in on the action, dismissing Tristan Stubbs to increase the pressure.
A defiant 73-run partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis offered a brief counter-attack. Brevis looked strong, hitting 54 before Ali clean-bowled him to end the resistance.
The key moment followed quickly, as Rickelton was dismissed for 45 just six runs later, completing the collapse.
Noman Ali was the chief architect of South Africa’s downfall, claiming four wickets as Pakistan’s bowlers ran rampant. With the tourists’ middle order decimated, Pakistan holds all the cards heading into the final stages of the match.