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.

KANSAS CITY — TCU guard Olivia Miles said she knows many were surprised she bypassed being a likely lottery pick in the WNBA draft earlier this year to remain in college.

But with the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, Miles, who transferred from Notre Dame for her final season, said she is content to observe that debate from afar.

“The WNBA is figuring out their own stuff [with the CBA] as we’re watching,” Miles, 22, told ESPN on Tuesday at Big 12 women’s basketball media day. “So, let them figure it out, and for one more year, I’ll enjoy college.”

After Miles’ junior season with the Fighting Irish was ended by TCU in the Sweet 16 in March, many expected her to then declare for the draft because she was age-eligible, having been at Notre Dame since her arrival in winter 2021. Instead, she opted to transfer and use her remaining season of eligibility at TCU. She is projected to be the No. 2 pick in ESPN’s most recent 2026 WNBA mock draft.

Miles said she knows there is a lot happening with negotiations for a new CBA, which has to be signed before the league moves forward with the expansion draft, the lottery for the 2026 regular draft and free agency. All that will have an impact on Miles’ future, but she is putting it to the side a while longer.

“Right now, it’s all still opinions on what is going to change,” Miles said of the CBA. “We hear there is going to be a lot of [player] movement and the league will look different next season. So, for now, I just prioritize what is right in front of me. I’ll start thinking about everything else later on.”

There is plenty for Miles to still accomplish in college. TCU is the preseason favorite in the Big 12, as chosen by the league’s coaches. Miles was a three-time all-ACC first-team selection at Notre Dame, where she averaged 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 101 games.

She missed the 2022-2023 postseason and the entire 2023-2024 season with a knee injury. Miles said despite averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season for the 28-6 Irish, she still wasn’t 100% confident in her preparation to be in the WNBA. So, she bypassed the 2025 draft.

“[The lottery potential] was a lot to leave on the table,” Miles said, adding with a smile, “My parents thought I was crazy. Everyone thought I was crazy. Heck, I still hear comments like, ‘It doesn’t make sense. Why would she come back? Why did she go there?’

“But I wasn’t in great shape, still, mentally. I had a great season last year, but I still wanted to get more consistent and more disciplined, and in better shape physically. I didn’t think I was ready. Being at TCU feels so aligned; I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity, especially with their style of play. Why not stay in college? The pros will still be there.”

The Horned Frogs had a breakthrough season in 2024-2025, going 34-4 and winning the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles before making the Elite Eight, all program firsts.

But TCU lost four senior starters and needed an infusion of experience and talent. Miles, the preseason Big 12 newcomer of the year, brings that, and coach Mark Campbell’s program offers a pick-and-roll offensive system that will help Miles when she goes pro after this season.

“She’s going to be the ball-dominant kid, and she’s going to get the usage — all of our actions will run through her,” Campbell said. “She wanted to use this year to really, really get her mind right and get ready for the pros. And she’s acted like a pro since day one.”

Young Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif, who has proudly raised Pakistan’s flag on all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks, has once again voiced his frustration over the “government’s failure to fulfil repeated promises of support”.

Taking to his X handle, the 22-year-old climber — the youngest Pakistani to summit all 14 eight-thousanders — said, “The government promised me a cash prize several times, but everyone has forgotten.” Despite national recognition and being honoured with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz earlier this year, Kashif claims the financial rewards have yet to materialise.

“My government promised support, but all was forgotten. I sold my land, my car, and remain in debt from past expeditions. How can you do this to someone who raised Pakistan’s flag on all 14 eight-thousanders?”

He also tagged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, urging them to take notice.

In a conversation with Geo News, Kashif revealed that his passion for mountaineering has come at a great personal cost. “I’ve spent nearly 40 million rupees to make my country proud,” he said.

His journey began at the age of 11, when he climbed the 3,885-metre Makra Peak. He went on to become the youngest person to climb both Everest and K2, and earned the nickname “Broad Boy” after summiting Broad Peak, his first eight-thousander.

However, despite his achievements, Kashif said he now faces serious medical issues resulting from a dangerous spinal operation. “There are rods in my back now. I find it difficult to walk, and no one has even taken responsibility for my medical bills,” he said.

He questioned how such treatment could be meted out to someone who brought global recognition to Pakistan. “How can anyone treat a person like this, who has climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres?” he asked.

“If this continues,” he warned, “I’ll be forced to consider my future outside the country.”

This is not the first time Kashif has expressed disappointment. In 2022, he publicly complained about the lack of government support for his mountaineering efforts, despite setting records and gaining international acclaim.

Reaching the summit of Everest alone reportedly cost him around $60,000. Yet, years later, he says, promises remain unfulfilled — and the climb, it seems, is far from over.