With Pakistan 94 for 4 and Babar Azam unbeaten on 49 with seven fours, a tense fourth day at Rawalpindi offers a real chance for a long awaited match winning century.
How the contest has tilted so far
South Africa reached 404 after Senuran Muthusamy made a career best 89 not out and Kagiso Rabada hit 71.
Earlier Pakistan posted 333, helped by debutant Asif Afridi who took six for 79 and became the oldest debutant to claim a five wicket haul.
Even so, the visitors earned a lead of 71. Then Simon Harmer struck three times to leave Pakistan 23 ahead at stumps with two days left.
Therefore the game sits on a knife edge and the first hour tomorrow is vital.
Why Babar’s innings looks promising
Babar’s 49 has rhythm and control. He picked gaps through cover, drove straight, and left well outside off.
Moreover, he has already weathered Harmer’s best early spell. Mohammad Rizwan is 16 not out, which gives Pakistan a stable pair to begin the morning.
If they rotate early and cash in on loose balls, the score can move quickly.
As the ball ages on this turning surface, placement and soft hands become decisive, and those are strengths Babar has shown across formats.
What a century would mean now
Pakistan lead the series after winning in Lahore, yet South Africa can still square it.
That is why one substantial partnership could swing the match.
The home camp believes a target close to two hundred can be defended on this surface, since the turn is growing and the footmarks are wider each session.
Consequently, if Babar reaches three figures and bats deep, Pakistan can set a fourth innings chase that suits their spinners.
Fans have waited a long time for his next international hundred. The stage, the situation, and his calm at the crease suggest tomorrow could be the day.
Babar Azam Stats while playing for Pakistan
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 60 | 4,300 | 196 | 42.57 | 54.37 | 9 | 29 |
| ODIs | 134 | 6,291 | 158 | 54.23 | 87.63 | 19 | 37 |
| T20Is | 128 | 4,223 | 122 | 39.83 | 129.22 | 3 | 36 |
