If there was a highlight reel for a red-ball cricket match, the minute dramas that make the format interesting would never be spotted. The fact that the South African team failed to position a silly point due to a helmet crisis against Pakistan in Cape Town, could be an example to cite.
It wasn’t easy peasy for the South African bowlers to remove the nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad in the morning session of the fourth day. He accompanied Shan Masood for the majority of the first hour before Mmarco Jansen outwitted him. Subsequently, Kamran Ghulam started to frustrate the host bowlers in sweltering heat but Kagiso Rabada found a way to set him up in the 67th over. However, an unprecedented event took centerstage at the close of the first session withthe Proteas team failing to find a helmet.
After the fifth ball of the session’s last over, South African captain Temba Bavuma intended to bring in a silly point against well-set Masood despite a short leg and slip. However, umpire Kumara Dharamsena spotted that Tristan Stubbs, who was brought in for the position, didn’t wear a helmet and insisted to get the protective equipment. As the keeper was about to take off his helmet and give it to Stubbs, Dharamsena further said that it isn’t allowed for a keeper to do so. As a result, Stubbs was sent back to mid-wicket, leaving the Twitterverse in splits.
— DJ Sinha (@sdj374531) January 6, 2025
Shan Masood – 137*
Highest score by a Pakistan batter in South Africa.#PAKvsSA pic.twitter.com/U9kt3UDILt— Cric mate (@Crickmate13) January 6, 2025
Well done
Well done to skipper Shan Masood for standing tall and fighting for Pakistan with a brilliant unbeaten 137 off 232 balls against South Africa in Cape Town. Pakistan desperately needed this remarkable fightback from their leader.
Despite still trailing by 109 runs, it’s now time… pic.twitter.com/fbqxgUkP40— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) January 6, 2025
Lead
300 comes up for Pakistan 👏
South Africa’s lead is only 109 runs now 🇵🇰❤️#SAvPAK #PakistanCricket #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/J4WRlplrIU— 78 Crickets (@78Crickets) January 6, 2025
Lunch on Day 4: Pakistan reach 312/3, adding 99 runs to the total this session. The nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad was among the two wickets lost. Pakistan now trail South Africa by 109 runs.#SAvPAK #PakistanCricket #BabarAzam #ShanMasood pic.twitter.com/lhPPdvKYXf
— Sitarah Anjum Official (@SitarahAnjum) January 6, 2025
Brilliant
Highest scores for Pakistan in South Africa:
1. 137* – Shan Masood in this innings
2. 136 – Azhar Mahmood in Johannesburg, 1998
3. 135 – Taufeeq Umar in Cape Town, 2003
4. 132 – Azhar Mahmood in Durban, 1998#SABCSport #SAvPAK @ACSCricket— Rodney Ulyate (@rodneyulyate) January 6, 2025
Refusal
South Africa said you can play Abdullah Shafiq but Pakistan refused. https://t.co/OweA2FqEFR
— Usama Zafar (@Usama7) January 6, 2025
South Africa squander an opportunity to get Shakeel out before lunch, deciding against reviewing an lbw shout off a Maphaka delivery that was hitting leg stump. Nitin Menon makes a rare error and Pakistan profit from it #SAvsPAK
— Danyal Rasool (@Danny61000) January 6, 2025
Wow
Big milestone
Pakistan have reached the 300 run mark against South Africa.#PAKvsSA #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/btcFn6Neaz
— Cricket With Smile (@MIsmailShabbir3) January 6, 2025
