PAK vs RSA 2025 2nd Test Match：Day 4

Stumps：South Africa won by 8 wickets.

South Africa wrapped up a stunning eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi, and they made it look almost effortless. What started as a potential comeback story for Pakistan turned into a full-blown collapse before anyone could finish their morning tea. Babar Azam flicked his way to a neat fifty, his first at home in years, but three balls later, he was gone, and so was Pakistan’s last real hope. Simon Harmer, in vintage form, spun webs around the batters and bagged six wickets, crossing the magical 1000 first-class wickets mark. Talk about milestone style points.

Sajid Khan comes down the track and clears long-on with a clean strike for SIX 💥

Watch live in UK region, sign up now at https://t.co/Z0RXSR7gYM#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/5o8BFrxzod

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 23, 2025

From there, it was all downhill for Pakistan. Miscommunication, run-outs, and a middle order that vanished faster than Wi-Fi on a plane, South Africa could hardly believe their luck. By the time Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton walked out to chase just 68, the result felt like a formality. Markram’s sweeps and Rickelton’s carefree hitting wrapped things up before lunch, sealing a series-leveling win and reminding everyone that the Proteas can spin their way to victory too. Pakistan, meanwhile, are left wondering how their house of cards fell apart so quickly again.

🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨

A masterclass from #TheProteas Men! 🇿🇦🏏

Sealing a comprehensive 8-wicket victory in Rawalpindi to level the series 1-1. 👏💥 pic.twitter.com/u5BlHjoh9Y

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 23, 2025

PAK vs RSA 2025 2nd Test Match：Day 3

Stumps：Pakistan lead by 23 runs.

What a rollercoaster of a day in Rawalpindi! South Africa’s tailenders turned chaos into gold, snatching a 71-run lead out of nowhere. Senuran Muthusamy’s calm 89* and Kagiso Rabada’s fireworks-filled 71 (his first-ever Test fifty, no less!) flipped the script after Pakistan had them wobbling at 210 for 7. Together with Keshav Maharaj, they built gritty stands that frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers and stunned the crowd. Poor Asif Afridi, who actually bagged a dream six-for on debut, must’ve wondered how things unraveled so fast after that early morning carnage. One minute he’s performing a sajda in celebration, the next he’s watching Rabada swing like it’s the IPL.

Kagiso Rabada is just being absolutely clutch! 🔥

A maiden Test half-century full of intent, power, and pure determination. 🇿🇦💫 pic.twitter.com/8iSpHNiKct

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 22, 2025

Then came Pakistan’s turn at the crease, and let’s just say, it didn’t start pretty. Three wickets down before the dust settled, fans were chewing their nails. But Babar Azam, cool as ever, steadied the ship with a fluent 49*, finding gaps, timing drives, and giving the home crowd something to cheer. Alongside Rizwan (unbeaten on 16), he dragged Pakistan to 94 for 4 and a slim 23-run lead heading into day four. It’s still anyone’s game: South Africa with their newfound swagger, Pakistan banking on Babar’s brilliance. If the first three days are anything to go by, buckle up—Rawalpindi’s finale might just be a thriller.

Stumps, Day 3. 🔥#TheProteas Men are in a commanding position after a superb all-round display. 🇿🇦👏

Pakistan end the day on 94/4 after 35 overs, leading by just 23 runs. 🏏 pic.twitter.com/Djp3VPYAub

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 22, 2025

PAK vs RSA 2025 2nd Test Match：Day 2

Stumps：South Africa trail by 148 runs.

South Africa’s day two performance in Rawalpindi was all about calm heads and steady hands. After Keshav Maharaj’s morning masterclass, a 7-wicket haul that saw Pakistan collapse from a strong position to 333 all out. It was up to the batters to steady the ship. Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs stepped up with a patient, gritty 113-run stand, showing that sometimes boring cricket is good cricket. They weren’t smashing sixes every over, but they were doing exactly what their team needed: surviving, settling, and slowly chipping away at Pakistan’s lead.

From injury to milestones! 💥

Keshav Maharaj marks his return in style with a brilliant seven-wicket haul! 💫

A masterful performance from #TheProteas Men’s premier spinner. 👏 pic.twitter.com/z11EXmRVbM

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 21, 2025

That said, it wasn’t all plain sailing. Pakistan missed a golden review early on, only to later catch de Zorzi lbw when they got smarter with the DRS. Asif Afridi, the 38-year-old debutant, struck twice late in the day to peg South Africa back slightly. Still, with the deficit down to 148 and six wickets in hand, the Proteas will be the happier side heading into day three, and they’ll owe much of that to a big spin show from Maharaj and the calm batting clinic from Stubbs and de Zorzi.

Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi help the Proteas cut down Pakistan’s first-innings lead 👊#PAKvSA | #WTC27 📝: https://t.co/OMV5JSbnec pic.twitter.com/QC5Hua741j

— ICC (@ICC) October 21, 2025

PAK vs RSA 2025 2nd Test Match：Day 1

Stumps：Pakistan chose to bat.

Pakistan took charge on day one in Rawalpindi, grinding their way to 259 for 5 on a pitch flatter than last week’s toast. Shan Masood was the standout, falling just shy of a ton with a fluent 87, while Abdullah Shafique rode his luck, dropped three times, to notch up a solid 57. The pair stitched together a gritty 111-run stand, navigating tricky reverse swing and a few sketchy bounce patches. South Africa, meanwhile, will be kicking themselves for letting chances slip (literally), with at least four drops and a handful that fell frustratingly short of the cordon.

Mohammad Rizwan plays slog sweep over mid-wicket for FOUR🔥#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen pic.twitter.com/MsijjWN0mI

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2025

Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer each bagged two wickets, but it was more a day of “almosts” for the Proteas than breakthroughs. Babar Azam looked sharp in flashes before falling to a sharp catch by De Zorzi. Saud Shakeel stayed unbeaten on 42, seeing out the day alongside Salman Agha. With 91 overs bowled and the surface set to get nastier, Pakistan will feel they’re holding the upper hand heading into day two even if it wasn’t the most thrilling ride to get there.

Shan Masood leads Pakistan from the front on a gripping opening day in the Rawalpindi Test 👊#WTC27 #PAKvSA 📝: https://t.co/OMV5JSbnec pic.twitter.com/Qq50lzsXMQ

— ICC (@ICC) October 20, 2025

PAK vs RSA 2025 2nd Test – Match Details

PAK vs RSA 2025 2nd Test – Predicted XI

Note：The match has not started yet, but updates will be provided regularly once it begins.

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PAK vs RSA 2025 2nd Test – Even the Home Court Can’t Save Pakistan?

The second Test shifts to Rawalpindi, but the change of venue looks more like a setback than an advantage for Pakistan. Unlike Lahore where surfaces tend to break up and bring spinners into play, Rawalpindi offers a flat and hard pitch that favors batters and quick bowlers. This means Pakistan’s traditional weapon of spin will have limited impact, leaving them exposed against South Africa’s fearsome pace battery. For the visitors, it is a welcome sign, a track that mirrors their strengths. For the hosts, it could be a dangerous gamble.

PAK vs RSA – South Africa In Strong

South Africa’s fast bowling attack is built to thrive in Rawalpindi conditions. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, who combined for 18 wickets in their last meeting with Pakistan, look set to repeat their dominance. Their seam movement and bounce on this surface could spell disaster for Pakistan’s batting order. On the batting front, South Africa have shown no hesitation in piling up big totals, scoring 300 in a second innings last series before chasing down 150 with ease. Ryan Rickelton’s monumental 259 in comparison to Shan Masood’s 145 illustrated the gulf in two teams. With both bat and ball, South Africa arrive ready to dictate terms.

PAK vs RSA – Pakistan’s Going On the Wrong Path

In sharp contrast, Pakistan continue to struggle in Test cricket. Under Shan Masood’s captaincy, they have lost 9 of their last 12 matches. While Masood himself has produced some personal highs, including two centuries that lifted his average into the mid-30s, the collective trend of the team remains poor. Pakistan’s batting collapses and lack of cutting-edge bowling options on flatter surfaces underline why they find themselves on the back foot. The weight of home conditions is not enough to mask their deeper issues, especially against a South African side in peak rhythm.

PAK vs RSA – Inevitable Losing Game?

As the second Test begins, South Africa look set to sharpen their advantage. Rawalpindi’s surface, criticized by the ICC for being too flat after the 1,187-run draw against Australia in 2022, offers little hope of a late twist through spin. Instead, it plays directly into the hands of South Africa’s pace and powerful batting lineup. Names like Senuran Muthusamy and rinsing all-rounder Corbin Bosch averaging 108 runs only add to the firepower. Pakistan can barely find an unexpected spark, this contest risks becoming another step in a worrying trend of defeats at home. Pakistan’s position is holding weakly in the match up and ready for South Africa to grab it easily.

PAK vs RSA 2025 2nd Test – Venue History&Analysis: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Stadium Capacity: Around 15,000 spectators

Stadium Address: Stadium Road, near Double Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

About the Stadium: 

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, established in 1992 near Islamabad, is one of Pakistan’s most recognized international venues. It has hosted several milestones, including Pakistan’s return to Test cricket in 2019 after a decade-long absence at home. With a capacity of about 15,000, it delivers an intimate atmosphere where spectators sit close to the action. Despite its modest size, the venue holds a special place in Pakistan’s cricket history, often remembered for packed crowds and high-profile series.

The surface in Rawalpindi has recently been criticized for being too flat, with the ICC rating it “below average.” A prime example came in the 2022 Pakistan versus Australia Test, where a staggering 1,187 runs were scored for the loss of only 14 wickets across five days. This trend highlights how batting-friendly the pitch can be, offering little for bowlers of either type. Seamers may find some help with the new ball under overcast skies, but the surface rarely breaks down to favor spin. As a result, high first-innings totals are common, and matches can often drift towards draws unless bowlers exploit rare early movement.

All Pakistan vs South Africa 2025 Test Match:

• PAK vs RSA 2025 1st Test – Another Crushing Blow? South Africa Eye Repeat Over Pakistan