Kagiso Rabada hit his maiden international fifty and finally achieved a milestone that underlines his batting prowess. Rabada shifted the momentum in South Africa’s favor on Day 3 of the second Test against Pakistan, adding a 98-run partnership for the last wicket. He and Senuran Muthusamy made Pakistan toil on a hot afternoon in Rawalpindi as they attacked a bowling attack that looked tired.
Rabada created a new record for South Africa by posting the highest individual score by an 11th batsman. The fast bowler looked set to continue towards a century but was caught at long-on as he tried to hit Asif Afridi for a six in the 120th over of the South African innings.
His 71 also ranks among the top five scores by a No. 11 batsman in Test cricket history, with Ashton Agar’s 98 against England in Nottingham topping the list.
Highest score by No. 11 Batters in Tests
Ashton Agar – 98 runs – Australia vs England – Nottingham – 2013
Tino Best – 95 runs – West Indies vs England – Birmingham – 2012
James Anderson – 81 runs – England vs India – Nottingham – 2014
Zaheer Khan – 75 runs – India vs Bangladesh – Dhaka – 2004
Kagiso Rabada – 71 runs – South Africa vs Pakistan – Rawalpindi – 2025
Ronald Collinge – 68* runs – New Zealand v Pakistan – Auckland – 1973
South Africa recovered from 235 for 8 to post 404, disappointing Pakistan and securing a 71-run lead in the first innings. Before Wednesday, Rabada’s highest score in a Test was 47. He showed his full range at the tail-ender with a series of eye-pleasing strokes, handling both spin and pace with composure.
Attacking left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, Rabada hit a huge six and a near-perfect drive through cover before reaching his fifty. He ended up with four sixes and as many boundaries in an entertaining knock.
However, the hero of South Africa’s innings was Senuran Muthusamy, who remained unbeaten on 89 off 155 deliveries. The all-rounder stitched 71 runs for the ninth wicket after Maharaj fell. Muthusamy posted his highest Test score, surpassing his previous best of 68. The century fell short by 11 runs after his partners ran out.
Pakistan still led by 27 runs when Rabada went to the crease but he and Muthusamy raised the first innings score and put the visitors under pressure. Earlier in the day, left-armer Asif Afridi dismissed overnight batsmen Kyle Verreynn and Tristan Stubbs, tilting the balance in Pakistan’s favour. However, Afridi became the oldest debutant in Test cricket to take five wickets, finishing with figures of 6 for 79.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
October 22, 2025
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