South Africa reaches 188-7 on day 3 of 2nd test vs Pakistan

Temba Bavuma fought a lone battle as Pakistan took three wickets and reduced South Africa to 188-7 at lunch on third day of the second cricket test on Saturday.

The diminutive Bavuma successfully overturned a leg before decision against him in the fourth over of the day and crawled to unbeaten 36 off 116 balls with South Africa still trailing by 84 runs.

Pakistan was bowled out for 272 in the first innings after allrounder Faheem Ashraf top-scored with an unbeaten 78 and captain Babar Azam made 77.

South Africa's George Linde, right, walks back to pavilion while Pakistan's Hasan Ali, second left, celebrates with teammates his dismissal during the third day of the second cricket test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)

Pakistan should have got Keshav Maharaj without scoring before lunch but Yasir Shah dropped him in the second slip. Umpire Ahsan Raza erred for the second time in the day when Maharaj successfully went for lbw television review after the on-field umpire had ruled him out off Hasan Ali.

Bavuma and Wiaan Mulder (33) dug in for 1-1/2 hours and raised a half century stand before Pakistan struck with two quick wickets in the last half hour.

Mulder was shaping up well against the spinners as he lofted Shah for a six over long off and also swept well against left-arm spinner Nauman Ali before he was run-out while going for a needless second run.

Pakistan's Hasan Ali, right, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa's George Linde during the third day of the second cricket test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)

George Linde scored a run-a-ball 21 with three fours and a six before he was deceived by fast Hasan Ali (3-46) with a slower delivery and was clean bowled.

Resuming on 106-4, captain Quinton de Kock’s poor run of form in the series continued when he could add only five to his overnight score of 24 and was clean bowled by Shaheen Afridi in the third over of the day. De Kock, who hit five boundaries, attempted an over ambitious drive against Afridi and dragged the ball back onto his stumps.

Pakistan leads the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first test by seven wickets at Karachi last week.

South Africa's Temba Bavuma bats during the third day of the second cricket test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)

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Pakistan's Hasan Ali appeals unsuccessful LBW out of South Africa's Temba Bavuma during the third day of the second cricket test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)

South Africa's Quinton de Kock, front, is bowled by Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi while teammate Abid Ali watches during the third day of the second cricket test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)

Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi jumps to celebrate after taking the wicket of South Africa's Quinton de Kock during the third day of the second cricket test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)