On Day 3 of the New Year’s Test, Pakistan faced an uphill battle after collapsing to 194 all out in response to South Africa’s mammoth first-innings total of 615, powered by Ryan Rickelton’s double century and centuries from Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreyne.
The Proteas seemed to have the match firmly in their grasp, but Pakistan showed resilience in their follow-on innings, led by experienced campaigners Shan Masood and Babar Azam.
The duo forged a 150-plus opening stand—their first century partnership in over three years—with both registering half-centuries and remaining unbeaten at the time of writing.
The runs came through grit and determination, punctuated by intense battles with the South African pacers, particularly Babar’s clash with Wiaan Mulder.
Mulder, introduced for a brief warm-up spell in the 10th over, returned for a full spell in the 30th over with the score past 130. It took him just 10 deliveries to stir tension. When Babar drove a delivery straight down the ground, Mulder retrieved the ball and hurled it back toward the batter’s crease with noticeable intent.
Despite Babar stepping aside from the stumps, Mulder’s throw seemed aimed at him, striking his pads harmlessly but creating a heated moment.
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Babar immediately responded, gesturing toward the stumps to question the need for such aggression, prompting Mulder to retort through gritted teeth, asserting that Babar had strayed outside his crease.