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South Africa fight back after Asif’s five-wicket haul in Rawalpindi Test – SUCH TV
South Africa’s lower order staged a remarkable fightback on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test, with Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj leading the resistance after debutant Asif Afridi’s brilliant five-wicket haul had earlier put Pakistan in command.
At one point, Pakistan seemed poised for a significant first-innings lead as South Africa stumbled to 235-8, but Muthusamy, Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada turned the tables with crucial partnerships.
The visitors not only wiped out the deficit but also managed to take a slender lead, with Muthusamy registering his career-best score.
Resuming at 185-4 overnight, South Africa lost Kyle Verreynne (10) in the very first over of the day, courtesy of Asif Afridi.
The debutant then dismissed Tristan Stubbs (76) and Simon Harmer (2) in quick succession, tightening Pakistan’s grip.
However, Muthusamy found a steady ally in Marco Jansen, adding 25 valuable runs for the eighth wicket before Noman Ali broke through.
Maharaj then joined Muthusamy, and the pair frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers with a resilient 71-run stand.
Pakistan missed several chances in the field dropping three catches and a stumping allowing the South African pair to rebuild.
Maharaj’s gritty 30 eventually ended when Noman struck again.
Rabada then joined forces with Muthusamy, and the duo added a defiant unbeaten 73-run partnership for the final wicket. Rabada played aggressively, bringing up a quickfire half-century off just 38 balls.
By stumps, South Africa had reached 381-9, with Muthusamy unbeaten on 86 and Rabada on 51.
Meanwhile, Asif Afridi etched his name in cricket history, becoming the oldest player to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut at 38 years and 299 days surpassing a 92-year-old record held by England’s Charles Marriott (37 years, 332 days).
Earlier, on Day 2, South Africa had lost Ryan Rickelton (14), Aiden Markram (32), Tony de Zorzi (55), and Dewald Brevis (0).
Shaheen Afridi, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali picked up a wicket apiece to support Asif’s heroic spell.
Pakistan, batting first, had earlier suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last five wickets for just 17 runs.
From a commanding 316-5, the hosts were bowled out for 333 after a sensational spell by Keshav Maharaj, who claimed all five of the final wickets.
Pakistan got off to a steady start as openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique put on 35 runs for the first wicket before Imam was bowled by Simon Harmer for 17 off 35 balls.
Abdullah Shafique continued with composure, combining aggression with patience to counter South Africa’s bowling.
Skipper Shan Masood joined him and displayed positive intent, hitting two towering sixes as Pakistan reached 65-1 after 20 overs.
The duo built a 50-run stand before lunch, maintaining momentum.
After the break, both batters guided Pakistan past 100. Masood reached his 13th Test fifty, while Shafique notched his sixth.
Their 111-run partnership for the second wicket ended when Harmer dismissed Shafique for 57 off 146 balls.
Babar Azam contributed 16 off 22 balls before falling to Keshav Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 167-3.
Masood narrowly missed a century, scoring 87 off 176 deliveries with two fours and three sixes.
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel added 34 for the fifth wicket before Kagiso Rabada trapped Rizwan lbw for 19, reducing Pakistan to 246-5 in 84.5 overs.
Resuming day two at 259-5, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha stabilised the innings, adding 70 for the sixth wicket.
Shakeel brought up his ninth Test fifty, while Agha contributed 45 off 76 balls with five boundaries before being dismissed by Maharaj.
Maharaj then struck again, removing Shakeel for a well-crafted 66 off 147 balls.
He continued his dominance by dismissing Shaheen Afridi for a duck to complete his five-wicket haul, and later accounted for Sajid Khan (5) and debutant Asif Afridi, as Pakistan were bowled out for 333 in 113.4 overs.
Maharaj finished with outstanding figures of 7 for 102, while Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada took a wicket apiece.
For Pakistan, captain Shan Masood top-scored with 87, while Saud Shakeel contributed a solid 66.
Today is a very important and decisive clash between India and Pakistan to reach the semi-finals in the Under-19 World Cup 2026.
This important match will be played today, Sunday, in Zimbabwe, which will start at 12:30 pm according to Pakistani time and 1 pm according to Indian time.
This match is the last match of the Super Six stage and one team is yet to be decided for the semi-finals, England from Group 2 has already qualified for the semi-finals, while the other team will be India or Pakistan.
India is currently in a better position with six points and its net run rate is 3.337, it is very easy for India, it only has to win the match and it will qualify for the semi-finals.
But on the other hand, Pakistan has four points and its net run rate is 1.484, which is significantly lower than India. Pakistan not only needs to win this match but also by a large margin to equal India in points and also surpass them in net run rate.
If Pakistan scores 300 runs batting first, it will need to win by at least 85 runs. If Pakistan bowls first and restricts India to around 200 runs, the target will have to be achieved in 31.5 overs.
If India scores 251 runs, Pakistan will have to achieve this target in around 33.2 overs to make it to the semi-finals.
It should be noted that this match will not be just about winning or losing but will be a test of runs, overs and nerves where a small slip-up can knock one team out of the World Cup.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The judge in Alabama men’s basketball player Charles Bediako‘s eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA has recused himself from the case.
Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge James Roberts filed the order Wednesday, according to court documents. AL.com first reported Roberts’ recusal.
The case was reassigned to Judge Daniel Pruet, an Alabama graduate who is overseeing the murder case involving former Crimson Tide player Darius Miles.
The NCAA filed a motion for recusal Tuesday, noting Roberts’ donations to the university as well as public perception that his relationship with Alabama athletics could alter his judgment in the case. Roberts was listed as a donor on the Crimson Tide Foundation’s website.
“Courts in Alabama and beyond have widely recognized that a mere appearance of partiality is sufficient to require the recusal of a trial judge,” the NCAA wrote. “This appearance can be compounded by widespread media and public scrutiny questioning the trial court’s impartiality. Despite the NCAA’s confidence that the Court can disregard his connections to the University of Alabama and its athletics programs, recusal is still necessary to protect these proceedings from an appearance of impropriety.”
Bediako’s attorneys did not oppose the motion.
Bediako is suing the NCAA in an attempt to regain college eligibility despite leaving school and entering the 2023 NBA draft. He went undrafted but signed a two-way NBA contract and played the past three seasons in the G League. Roberts granted a temporary restraining order last week that allows Bediako to play for the Crimson Tide, at least until a hearing on an injunction can be held.
No. 23 Alabama plays at No. 19 Florida on Sunday.
The NCAA and several college coaches, including Florida’s Todd Golden, have strongly opposed Bediako’s return to college basketball.
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Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was fined $50,000 for “aggressively pursuing, berating and making inadvertent contact with a game official,” the NBA announced Saturday.
The league’s announcement said the incident happened with 10:59 left in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns Friday.
Atkinson was assessed his second technical foul of the game when he stormed the court after a no-call against Sam Merrill for driving on Collin Gillespie after he bumped into an official before being escorted off and ejected from the game.
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Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat April 28, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rhona Wise)
Atkinson whipped his arm against the nearby referee before the whistle was blown.
Atkinson ripped the officials in a postgame news conference.
PGA TOUR STAR JUSTIN THOMAS RIPS NCAA FOR CURRENT STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during Game 2 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland May 6, 2025. (David Richard-Imagn Images)
“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said. “And the second free throw we got was after a flop. I’m not pleased. I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly. Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly. I don’t know if that’s what we want as a league.
“Certain characters in this league take liberties, and we don’t stand up to them. And the game turns into reviews, challenges, go to the monitor for 20 minutes when we’re just trying to play basketball. I don’t think it’s good for the league, and I know it wasn’t good for us tonight. Thought they let the game get out of hand.”
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Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the first half against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland May 4, 2025. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
The Cavaliers fell to 29-21, while Phoenix improved to 30-19.
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