Masood went past 30 for the first time in nine innings and went on to score his sixth Test hundred, and the first by a Pakistan captain in South Africa, while Babar, opening in place of the injured Saim Ayub, made 81.

The tourists went to the close on 213 for one in their second innings but still trail South Africa by 208 runs after they were forced to follow on having been bowled out for 194 earlier in the day.

Masood (102 not out) and Khurram Shahzad (8 not out) will resume on the fourth morning with Pakistan effectively two wickets down after batter Saim Ayub fractured his ankle while fielding on the first day.

???? We go into Day 4 with a 208 run lead and Pakistan on 213-1. The action gets under here at WSB Newlands Stadium from 10:30.#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/oo9u3pYG7v

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 6, 2025

South Africa’s bowling, however, left much to be desired during Pakistan’s follow-on innings. They have bowled 23 no-balls across the two innings so far – 10 in the ongoing second innings alone. 

Proteas test bowling coach, Piet Botha, said the team has no choice but to “keep attacking” Pakistan.  After the day’s play, Botha told a press conference that just defending a mammoth total is not enough.

“We have to keep slips and a gully in and have to use our bounce, even though it (the pitch) is not quick. Once the batters are set, it seems to be quite easy to rotate. So you can go defensive, but we’re not in that situation. We have to attack,” he said.

Pakistan will resume their innings on 213/1 at 10:30 on Monday morning (6/1) on day 4 of the Test.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cg