Temba Bavuma hits first Test century against Pakistan

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma delivered a captain’s knock at Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium, scoring his first Test century against Pakistan. Their innings, full of determination and resilience, helped the Proteas recover from an early collapse and take control on the opening day of the second Test.

Bavuma’s century came after Ryan Rickelton’s pioneering hundred, as the pair forged a crucial partnership to stabilize South Africa’s innings.

Bavuma’s long-awaited century

Bavuma’s journey to his first Test century against Pakistan was marked by patience and determination. He reached the milestone off 167 balls, hitting nine boundaries and two sixes along the way.

This was Bavuma’s fourth Test century overall and a significant one, considering the context of the game. His knock also took him past 500 career runs against Pakistan in Test cricket.

The South African captain showed immense composure after arriving at the box with his team in trouble at 72/3. Alongside Rickelton, Bavuma overcame Pakistan’s potent pace attack to ensure South Africa remained in the driving seat.

Rickelton leads the fight

Earlier in the day, Ryan Rickelton set the tone for South Africa with a brilliant hundred of his own. After the top order faltered, Rickelton took charge, anchoring the innings with authority.

The left-hander brought up his second Test century in style, smashing boundaries all over the park. His partnership with Bavuma turned the tide for the hosts as they shared a two-century stand to rescue South Africa from a precarious position.

Rickelton eventually fell for 123, but his knock laid a solid foundation on which South Africa could build.

Early collapse rescued by mid-order heroics

South Africa’s innings started with promise but quickly fell apart after a solid start. The opening duo scored 61 runs before Pakistan struck three times in quick succession.

Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs were dismissed in a space of 11 runs, leaving the hosts reeling at 72/3. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi, looked poised to trigger a dramatic collapse.

However, Rickelton and Bavuma had other plans. The pair resisted, absorbing the pressure and gradually shifting the momentum in South Africa’s favor.

At the end of Day 1, South Africa stood at a commanding 316/4 after 80 overs. Bavuma, who was unbeaten on 100 at one point, was eventually dismissed by Salman Ali Agha for 106.

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