RAWALPINDI: South Africa produced an uncharacteristically poor fielding display on the opening day of the second Test to let Pakistan off the hook at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

The visitors dropped four catches and missed a stumping as Pakistan finished the day at 259 for five after electing to bat first. South Africa had also failed to capitalize on at least half a dozen chances in Lahore, where Pakistan had taken a 1-0 series lead following a 93-run victory.

Abdullah Shafique was the major beneficiary of South Africa’s lapses, going on to score 57 before being caught behind off Simon Harmer. He was dropped on 0, 15 and 41 by Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram, while wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne also missed a stumping. Lady Luck further smiled on the opener when, on 9, a Marco Jansen inswinger brushed the off-stump without dislodging the bails.

Captain Shan Masood, who once again threw away a potential seventh career century, also enjoyed a reprieve on 71, when Senuran Muthusamy dropped a sitter at backward square leg off Maharaj. Sixteen runs later, Shan perished attempting a similar sweep off the same bowler — this time Jansen taking a comfortable catch.

While Abdullah and Shan used up most of Pakistan’s luck, Babar Azam was left gutted when Tony de Zorzi pulled off a brilliant catch at forward short leg off Maharaj, ending another promising start. Babar struck three fours in a fluent 22-ball 16.

After Imam-ul-Haq (17) was bowled by Harmer, Abdullah and Shan added a 111-run stand for the second wicket off 230 balls.

Abdullah’s 146-ball innings included four fours, while Shan’s 87 came off 176 balls, decorated with two fours and three sixes. Abdullah reached his half-century from 120 balls, while Shan brought up his fifty from 83 balls.

Mohammad Rizwan (19) was the fifth man out when Kagiso Rabada struck with the fourth delivery of the second new ball. Rizwan added 34 runs with Saud Shakeel, who was unbeaten on 42, alongside Salman Ali Agha on 10 at stumps.

Keshav Maharaj, returning after missing the first Test, was the most successful bowler with 2 for 63, while Harmer claimed 2 for 75. Jansen remained wicketless but was easily the most threatening of the South African bowlers.

Surprisingly, Muthusamy, who took 11 wickets in Lahore, bowled only four overs, as Markram relied heavily on Maharaj, Harmer, Rabada and Jansen, who together sent down 87 overs.

Earlier, Pakistan handed a Test cap to 39-year-old Asif Afridi, who replaced Hasan Ali. South Africa made two changes from the Lahore Test, with Maharaj and Jansen replacing Prenelan Subrayen and Wiaan Mulder, respectively.

Scores in brief (Day 1 of 5):Pakistan (1st innings) 259 for 5 in 91 overs (Shan Masood 87, Abdullah Shafique 57, Saud Shakeel 42, Mohammad Rizwan 19, Imam-ul-Haq 17, Babar Azam 16; Keshav Maharaj 2-63, Simon Harmer 2-75) vs South Africa