Kagiso Rabada hit his maiden international fifty, finally reaching a milestone that underscores his batting prowess. Rabada shifted the momentum in South Africa’s favour on Day 3 of the second Test against Pakistan, adding a 98-run partnership for the last wicket.
He and Senuran Muthusamy made Pakistan toil on a hot afternoon in Rawalpindi, attacking a bowling attack that appeared fatigued.
Rabada set a new record for South Africa, registering the highest individual score by a No. 11 batter. The fast bowler looked set to push on towards a century but was caught at long-on while attempting to hit Asif Afridi for a six in the 120th over of the South African innings.
His 71 also ranks among the top five scores by No. 11 batters in the history of Test cricket, with Ashton Agar’s 98 against England in Nottingham topping the charts.
Highest Scores by No. 11 Batters in Tests
Ashton Agar – 98 runs – Australia vs England – Nottingham – 2013
Tino Best – 95 runs – West Indies vs England – Birmingham – 2012
James Anderson – 81 runs – England vs India – Nottingham – 2014
Zaheer Khan – 75 runs – India vs Bangladesh – Dhaka – 2004
Kagiso Rabada – 71 runs – South Africa vs Pakistan – Rawalpindi – 2025
Ronald Collinge – 68* runs – New Zealand vs Pakistan – Auckland – 1973
South Africa recovered from 235 for 8 to 404, frustrating Pakistan and securing a 71-run lead in the first innings. Prior to Wednesday, Rabada’s highest Test score was 47. For a tail-ender with an array of eye-pleasing strokes, he displayed his full range, handling both spin and pace with composure.
Rabada attacked left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, hitting a huge six and a near-perfect drive through the covers before reaching his fifty. He finished with four sixes and as many boundaries in an entertaining knock.
However, the hero of South Africa’s innings was Senuran Muthusamy, who remained unbeaten on 89 off 155 deliveries. The all-rounder stitched a 71-run stand for the ninth wicket after Maharaj was stumped. Muthusamy posted his highest Test score, surpassing his previous best of 68. He fell 11 runs short of a century after running out of partners.
Pakistan still held a 27-run lead when Rabada walked to the crease, but he and Muthusamy extended the first-innings score and put the visitors under pressure. Earlier in the day, left-arm spinner Asif Afridi dismissed overnight batters Kyle Verreynne and Tristan Stubbs, tilting the balance in favour of Pakistan. Afridi, however, went on to become the oldest debutant in Test cricket to take a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 6 for 79.