Keshav Maharaj credits 'old-fashioned Test cricket' for Rawalpindi fightback: Details
What's the story
South Africa's left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has credited "old-fashioned Test cricket" for his team's resurgence on Day 1 of the 2nd Test against Pakistan. The remark came after South Africa managed to dismiss five Pakistani batsmen, including Babar Azam, by the end of play. Pakistan ended the day at 259/5. Notably, Pakistan were 146/1 at one stage before losing Abdullah Shafique (146/2). Thereafter, the side lost wickets at key moments.
Match impact
Maharaj was in fine form
Maharaj, who missed the first Test due to a groin injury, was instrumental in South Africa's resurgence. He dismissed Babar early in his innings and later got half-centurion Shan Masood to sweep one straight into Marco Jansen at square leg. He bowled 31 overs and clocked 2/63. Meanwhile, Simon Harmer also picked two wickets (2/75). Kagiso Rabada also took a fifth wicket late in the day, forcing Pakistan to bat cautiously for the last half hour.
Words
Maharaj reflects on his side's performance
"I think it was an even day," said Maharaj in a post-match press conference on Day 1, as per ESPNcricinfo. "We managed to control their run rate. When the ball gets softer - which happens quite quickly because the wicket's quite hard, we managed to just go to old-fashioned Test cricket... I felt if we got one more wicket at night, we'd probably have had a little bit of an upper hand."
Dropped catches
Maharaj defends team on dropped catches
The Proteas unit put down several catches in the contest on Day 1, including that of both half-centurions Masood and Shafique. "As a collective we know how important catches are, not just in the subcontinent. No one means to drop catches; it was nice to see the guys bounce back and take the catches that they did. Bit frustrating but no one means to drop chances," said Maharaj.
Day 2
Tomorrow's an important day, says Maharaj
Maharaj noted the importance of Day 2 and laid out a plan. "Tomorrow's an important day," Maharaj said. "The first sessions in the series so far have been quite action-packed. Hopefully, we can make inroads tomorrow morning. The main thing is to try bowling as many dot balls as we can. We saw for a period of time when we did do it, that it brought us a little bit of reward, and we created opportunities. I think it's important we start really well tomorrow.