Proteas claim stunning win to tie series in Pakistan

Simon Harmer fulfilled a lifelong goal, claiming a maiden Test five-wicket haul to help drive South Africa to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in the second Test against Pakistan on Wednesday.

Harmer, recalled to the national side for this series after a two-year absence, finished with 6/50 from 20 overs as Pakistan were bowled out for 138 in their second innings on day four at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

That left the Proteas a target of 68 runs, which they knocked off in 12.3 overs, with Ryan Rickelton thumping a six over long-off to end the contest.

Senuran Muthusamy, who took 11 wickets in the first Test and scored a crucial 89 not out in the first innings in Rawalpindi, was named Player of the Series. Keshav Maharaj, who took nine wickets, including 7/102, and scored 30, sharing a 71-run partnership with Muthusamy, was Player of the Match.

“It’s great to have Harmer back to link up with Kesh and Sen. As a package, they will be a lot more confident that when we go to the subcontinent, we can compete,” said Proteas captain Aiden Markram.

When Harmer texted Shukri Conrad in June, informing him he was available for the Proteas again after signing a provincial contract with the Northerns Titans, it was with one eye on making the Proteas side for the tour to India next month.

But an extended period of rehabilitation for Maharaj meant Conrad needed an extra spinner for Pakistan, and Harmer made an immediate impression in Lahore, taking five wickets in the first Test.

After the South African tail wagged wildly on day three, Harmer was in devastating form, picking up three wickets on Wednesday evening.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan resumed for Pakistan on Thursday morning, but any hopes the hosts had of setting up a tense fourth-innings chase for South Africa were scorched in the first over when Harmer trapped Babar lbw.

Pakistan’s champion batter had reached his first Test 50 in three years, but he knew he needed to stretch that to something more substantial to give his side any chance of winning this Test.

Harmer then had the dangerous Rizwan caught at short leg for 18 and followed that by having Noman Ali caught behind, which made the 36-year-old only the fourth South African to take 1,000 first-class wickets.

It was one of South Africa’s best Test wins in the subcontinent. They were lethargic on day one, dropping five catches, and at 210/7 in their first innings, getting within 50 runs of Pakistan’s first innings total of 333 would have been a good achievement.

Instead, South Africa ended up taking a 71-run first innings lead thanks to Muthusamy’s resolute effort and a stunning maiden Test half-century for Kagiso Rabada.

Then Harmer decisively turned the match South Africa’s way.

“It was a good response after the first Test. We were put under pressure in this match. There were moments when guys had to put their hands up for the team, and they did that,” said Markram.

“You take a lot of confidence and belief from wins, but when your character is tested, and you come out on the right side, I think [a win] means a bit more.”

The Proteas will be looking forward to the next assignment in India, knowing that whatever pitches they produce, they have the bowlers to cause even that powerful batting line-up problems.

After winning a series in Bangladesh last year and now drawing in Pakistan, they’re showing that the subcontinent is no longer the stuff of nightmares as it was for previous generations.

A third Test would have been nice.