PAK 213/1 in 49 Overs (F/O, Trail by 208 Runs) Stumps | South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd Test 2024–25 Day 3 Highlights: South Africa Far Ahead In Match Despite Shan Masood and Babar Azam's 205-Run Opening Stand

Pakistan after failing in the first innings, have showcased great resilience in the second time around with Shan Masood and Babar Azam putting up a massive 205 runs for the first wicket. Masood is the third Pakistan captain to score a ton as an opener.  However, Pakistan are still 208 runs behind after being asked to follow on. Earlier, in the day, South Africa bundled Pakistan for 194, with only Babar Azam putting up a fight, scoring 58. 

Stumps! An entertaining Day 3 of play between South Africa and Pakistan 2nd Test 2024-25 has come to an end. Shan Masood remains unbeaten on 102, while nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad comes into the dressing room on eight. Pakistan are still 208 runs behind South Africa. 

OUT! Marco Jansen provides South Africa a crucial breakthrough in the dying moments of Day 3. Babar Azam, who until his dismissal played a chanceless knock, falls for 81, in an attempt to hit the expansive cover drive off Jansen. Babar Azam c Bedingham b Marco Jansen 81(124) 

100! Shan Masood showing his skills as a batter to his full potential. This has been a chanceless knock from the Pakistan skipper, who reached his sixth Test hundred in 159 balls, which were laced with 14 fours. Masood along with Babar Azam has added 200 runs for the first wicket and surpassed Pakistan's first innings score. 

This has been a terrific show from Pakistan's stand-in opening pair, Shan Masood and Babar Azam have are nearing the 200-run stand, while the Pakistan skipper is also nearing his nearing his sixth Test century. The former captain is also en route to his 10th Test ton, batting in the late 70s. 

This has been a historic stand for Pakistan, with Babar Azam and Shan Masood adding over 150 runs for the first wicket. This is the highest-ever opening stand for Pakistan against South Africa in Test cricket, bettering the earlier record of 139. 

FIFTY! Babar Azam looked in prime form in this Test, with a half-century in the first innings, which is followed by another one in the second.  Azam's second fifty took 73 balls, which is also the third of the ongoing SA vs PAK Test Series 2024. 

FIFTY! A brilliant half-century for the Pakistan captain Shan Masood under pressure. A harmless short ball by Kagiso Rabada and Masood hammered it away for a four. This also brought up the century partnership with Babar Azam, who is also looking in good touch. Both the openers will want to add more runs in the third session of Day 3.

At the tea on Day 3, openers Babar Azam and Shan Masood stitched an 80-run partnership and provided a solid start to Pakistan in the second innings. After getting bundled out inside 200 runs in the first innings, the openers have responded well and have scored runs on bad balls against South African bowlers. The hosts did everything to pick up at least one wicket, but the duo stood tall and took Pakistan to 80 runs without losing a wicket. An interesting session is coming up with the Proteas trying to pick wickets and Pakistan aiming to score runs.

Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Shan Masood provided a fifty-run partnership for the opening wicket in the second innings. The duo has provided a decent start and will aim to go big as the visitors are still trailing behind by more than 350 runs of South Africa's first innings total.