Keshav Maharaj created history as he took a seven-fer in Pakistan’s first innings of the second Test match in Rawalpindi. Maharaj, who missed the first Test due to an injury, made a solid comeback and warmed up well before the all-important series against India.
The left-arm spinner dismissed Pakistan captain Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Shaheemn Afridi, Sajid Khan and Asif Afridi. Maharaj bowled 42.4 overs and spent 102 runs.
Simon Harmer scalped 2 wickets SA while Kagiso Rabada dismissed one batter as Pakistan were bowled out for 333.Masood top-scored for Pakistan and scored 87. Abdullah Shafique (57) and Saud Shakeel (66) were the other two batters to score half-centuries.
Keshav Maharaj creates history
Keshav Maharaj created history during his spell and recorded the best spell by a South African bowler in Pakistan. He created a 22-year-old record held by Paul Adams. Adams scalped 7 wickets for 128 runs in the Lahore Test in 2003. Maharaj spent 102 runs in Pakistan’s first innings.
Maharaj already holds the record for bowling the best spell by a South African bowler in Asia. He took a nine-fer against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2018.
He is followed by Lance Klusner, who scalped 8 wickets in the Kolkata Test against India in 1996. Dale Steyn sits at the third position. The right-arm pacer took a seven-fer in the Nagpur Test against India in 2010.
Pakistan 1-0 ahead
Pakistan won the first Test of the series and are 1-0 ahead. Batting first, Pakistan put on a total of 378 on the board. South Africa responded with a total of 269. Pakistan scored 169 in their second innings, setting a target of 277. SA couldn’t complete the chase and were bowled out for 183, thus losing the game by 93 runs. SA will travel to India next month.