South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd Test Day 2 LIVE Score Updates

JUST IN - The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed that Saim Ayub has been ruled out not just for this match but for up to six weeks due to the right ankle fracture. The young opener will stay with the team for the remainder of the match before heading home once the Test concludes. This is a major blow for Pakistan, as Ayub’s absence creates a significant void at the top of the order, especially on a wicket that seemed tailor-made for his batting style. While this is far from ideal for the team, the focus now shifts to his recovery. Here’s wishing Ayub a speedy return to full fitness. Let’s hope to see him back in action soon, stronger and better than ever!

As for South Africa, the plan is clear. Pile on the runs and aim for a massive first-innings score, potentially beyond 500, to tighten their grip on the game. The Proteas will aim to capitalize on their strong foundation, while Pakistan will desperately hope to turn things around and salvage their chances of drawing or even snatching an overseas victory in South Africa - a feat that would hold immense significance. The action resumes shortly, so gear up for another thrilling day of cricket.

Pakistan had their moments of brilliance but struggled to seize control during the critical phases of Day 1. An umpire’s call decision on the very first ball of the game didn’t go their way, but the first hour showcased some promising bowling. After dismissing Markram early, Pakistan capitalized further with two quick wickets, removing Mulder and Stubbs in quick succession. However, as the day wore on, their plans seemed to falter. The short-ball strategy against Bavuma and Rickelton backfired, with both batters playing it comfortably and building a commanding partnership. Adding to Pakistan’s woes, they now suffer a major setback with Saim Ayub ruled out of the match due to the right ankle injury he sustained on Day 1. With the second new ball now available, Pakistan will look for early breakthroughs to trigger a collapse and limit South Africa’s first-innings total to as low as they can.

The South African batters were relentless, maintaining a brisk scoring rate after 80 overs on a pitch that initially felt like it had something in it but for most of the day looked to carry absolutely no demons. Although there were some edges and close calls, Bavuma and Rickelton showcased immense concentration and grit to guide their team to a commanding position with the score now reading 316/4. Aiden Markram was dismissed early in the first session. Wiaan Mulder on his comeback also fell cheaply and Tristan Stubbs entering this series on the back of some good form couldnt do either.

Hello and Welcome to Day 2 of the gripping second Test between South Africa and Pakistan at the picturesque Newlands in Cape Town. The opening day firmly belonged to the Proteas, who capitalized on a tricky start to end in a dominant position. Despite losing three early wickets in the first session, South Africa’s innings was stabilized by a magnificent partnership of 235 runs between skipper Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton. Both batters scored brilliant centuries, with Bavuma falling just before stumps at a score of 106, while Rickelton remained unbeaten on a sublime 176, eyeing his maiden double-century.

... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ...

What does Saturday hold in store? Looking at the pitch, a bountiful of runs. South Africa still have some batting to come, so they will look to bat for two sessions at least and get as close to 500 as possible. Pakistan, on the other hand, will hope for a turnaround in their fortune and aim to get the home side all out under 400. The cracks might just start to appear on Day 3 and spin could come into fray, so anything above 400 could be a good score here. That's all from here then. The first ball on Day 2, i.e., Saturday, 4th January, 2025, will be bowled at 8.30 am GMT but our buildup will begin well in advance. Also, do remember to check out the other two Tests - Australia vs India and Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan. Enjoy. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Tough day for Pakistan. They started really well, though they did not get wickets. Could have had Aiden Markram first ball and could have struck multiple times in that first hour. Irrespective, they ended the first session well. But it was the counterattack post Lunch which took them by surprise. Eventually, the bowling started to go awry with the fielding being way beyond acceptable. The new-ball bowlers - Mohammad Abbas and Mir Hamza - were the only ones who showed some control while Salman Agha helped himself with a couple of wickets.

Well, that was one hero. The other hero was the skipper, Bavuma. Riding on his newly found form, he first made a strong alliance with Rickelton, coming in the midst of a mini collapse. South Africa had slipped from 61/0 to 72/3 and the team needed some stability. Bavuma provided that, coming in with a counter-attacking approach, taking Pakistan to the cleaners. His third century in 3 years in Tests lit up Newlands as his 235-run stand with Rickelton really rubbed it in for Pakistan. Bavuma would have loved to be at the crease, especially, with the pitch becoming a batting beauty, but as it usually happens, when a batter reaches a milestone, the next few deliveries are a bit risky for him and with Stumps around the corner, it became doubly dangerous for Bavuma.

RYAN RICKELTON says that he is exhausted, detailing that he was feeling uneasy coming in from the previous Test. But adds that he feels really special after his mammoth innings. On his new role as an opener, Rickelton says that he practices against the new ball in the nets, so he is not shy of the challenge. On the ground at Newlands, Ryan says that it is a wonderful ground, with lush boundaries. On his game plan, RR says that the initial plan was to see off the new ball, then hold back when wickets fell, but post Lunch, the wicket became better and he just capitalized. On his century, Ryan Rickelton says that he witnessed tears in his mum's eyes on the giant screen and got emotional himself as well. On the game plan for Saturday, Rickelton says that the team will look to post 600 on the board and then take it from there.

The day belonged to one of two men - Ryan Rickelton. In a team score of 316, he has finished unbeaten on 176, which accounts for almost 60 percent of the team score. He got good support from his skipper Bavuma, but to be honest, Rickelton looked way out of the lot in that tough opening session. He saw off the shine off the new ball and later, when Pakistan threatened to come back around Lunch, he hung around, patiently eating up deliveries, waiting for the phase to pass, before opening up post Lunch. In a very first knock as an opener, he is just 24 shy of a maiden double ton in Tests. He looked assured of his footwork and initially favoured the region behind point, before threading the drives in the next two sessions. Here he is, talking to Kass Naidoo.

There was a bit of an intriguing event just before that last ball. There are two clocks on the ground, with both showing different times. Shan Masood just clarified which watch are the umpires checking and Kumar Dharmasena said, his own personal watch. And he also gave a clear signal, before the final ball, that there will not be any more play post the final ball and it ends a wonderful day for South Africa. Started well, probably did not end it that well, given that Temba Bavuma fell in the dying moments of the day, but they will take this score on the opening day of a Test match at Newlands.

Since taking over as captain, Bavuma has scored three of his four Test hundreds and averages 57.78. He has scored 809 runs with 7 of his 15 innings going past 50. He was made the captain in 2023. Meanwhile, the second new ball is in the hand of the fourth umpire, just outside the playing arena, but we are not far away from Stumps. In fact, this Abbas over might be the last for the day.