RAWALPINDI: Thirty-eight-year-old Asif Afridi’s dream debut turned into a forgettable one when Pakistan’s decision to take the second new ball in South Africa’s first innings — followed by their inability to negotiate the fresh red cherry at the start of their second innings — left them staring down the barrel of defeat at stumps on the third day of the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Afridi, who had taken two wickets for 24 runs at stumps on Tuesday with South Africa 185 for four in reply to Pakistan’s 333, added four more scalps to finish with highly impressive figures of 34.3-6-79-6.

In doing so, Afridi became only the sixth Pakistan bowler to claim six or more wickets on debut. The others are Mohammad Zahid (7-66), Mohammad Nazir Junior (7-99), Abrar Ahmed (7-114), Bilal Asif (6-36) and Arif Butt (6-89).

However, Afridi’s brilliance was undone by Pakistan’s poor tactics and South Africa’s courageous lower-order resistance, which lifted the visitors to 404 all out and a valuable 71-run first-innings lead.

If the miscalculation to take the second new ball on a turning pitch was not enough, Pakistan’s top order then capitulated under lights. Imam-ul-Haq (9), Shan Masood (0) and Abdullah Shafique (6) all fell cheaply, leaving Pakistan reeling at 16 for three in 6.1 overs before ending the day on 94 for four. Saud Shakeel (11) was the last man dismissed on a day that saw 10 wickets fall.

Babar Azam (49) and Mohammad Rizwan (16) will resume Pakistan’s second innings on Thursday, with the hosts effectively 23 for four and two full days of play remaining. Babar has faced 83 balls and struck seven fours, while Rizwan has hit one four in 43 balls.

Resuming on 185 for four, South Africa slipped to 221 for seven before Pakistan’s ill-timed decision to take the second new ball in the 81st over swung the momentum dramatically. The visitors seized the opportunity, adding 183 runs in the next 39.3 overs — at nearly 4.6 runs per over — to reach 404 all out.

This was in sharp contrast to their earlier scoring rate with the first new ball, when they had managed 221 for seven in 80.1 overs at just 2.6 runs per over.

No. 7 batter Senuran Muthusamy and No. 11 Kagiso Rabada played career-best innings, while No. 10 Keshav Maharaj added salt to Pakistan’s wounds with a brisk 30 — following up his seven for 102 in the first innings.

South Africa’s last two wickets astonishingly added 169 runs, including a 98-run stand off just 117 balls between Muthusamy and Rabada.

Muthusamy, wicketless in Pakistan’s first innings after claiming 11 wickets in the first Test, remained unbeaten on 89 from 155 balls with eight fours, while Rabada hammered four fours and four sixes in a punishing 71 off 61 balls.

Earlier, Afridi gave Pakistan a dream start to the day by removing Kyle Verreynne (10) with the fourth ball of the morning. He later dismissed Tristan Stubbs (76) and Simon Harmer (0) to reduce South Africa to 210 for seven, before Noman Ali removed Marco Jansen (12) to make it 258 for eight.

Noman also accounted for Maharaj to finish with figures of two for 92, while Afridi fittingly claimed the final wicket of Rabada to round off a memorable debut performance.

Shell-shocked by South Africa’s assault with the second new ball, Pakistan’s top-order crumbled. The hosts lost three wickets in 37 balls – two to off-spinner Simon Harmer and one to Kagiso Rabada — before losing Saud Shakeel off Harmer late in the day to finish on 94 for four, just 23 runs ahead.

Imam and Shan were trapped leg-before — both unsuccessfully reviewing their dismissals — while Abdullah was caught at the same position where he was dropped in the first innings on nine before going on to score 57. Saud was caught in the slips to deepen Pakistan’s woes.

At stumps, Babar Azam was batting fluently, timing the ball from the middle of the bat. Yet this has been a familiar tale throughout the series — solid starts but no big scores. Pakistan will hope Thursday brings a change in his fortunes, with an innings that not only showcases his talent but also gives the home side an outside chance of a fightback.

Rizwan, who lost his ODI captaincy after the opening day’s play, survived a few anxious moments but held firm to see out the day. Salman Ali Agha is the next recognised batter in line, with Pakistan facing an uphill battle to save the Test.

Scores in brief (Day 3 of 5):

PAKISTAN (1st innings) 333 all out, 113.4 overs (Shan Masood 87, Saud Shakeel 66, Abdullah Shafique 57, Salman Ali Agha 45; Keshav Maharaj 7-102, Simon Harmer 2-75) and 94-4 (Babar Azam 49*, Mohammad Rizwan 16*; Simon Harmer 3-26)

SOUTH AFRICA (1st innings, overnight 185-4, 65 overs) 404 all out, 119.3 overs (Senuran Muthusamy 89*, Tristan Stubbs 76, Kagiso Rabada 71, Tony de Zorzi 55, Aiden Markram 32, Keshav Maharaj 30; Asif Afridi 6-79, Noman Ali 2-92)