South African spinner Simon Harmer might have produced the best performance of his career while playing against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. On Sunday, October 20 at the Rawalpindi Stadium, Harmer’s new-ball burst broke through Imam-ul-Haq’s defense on Day 1 of the second Test match, leaving fans and commentators in shock.
The right-arm off-spinner, bowling his very first over of the match, got the ball to spin sharply. Harmer, who was operating around the wicket of the left-handed Imam, landed the ball outside the leg stump and got it over the batter, hitting the off stump and sending it spinning.
Stunned, Imam-ul-Haq could do nothing more than watch in disbelief as Harmer celebrated with his teammates. The South African side rallied around the bowler while fans online immediately started making connections between the moment and South Africa’s upcoming tour of India.
The Proteas are scheduled to play a two-match Test series in India next month, with the matches to be played in Kolkata and Guwahati. With spin-friendly conditions expected in India, fans have already started touting the potential impact of South Africa’s spin unit, which is likely to include Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy and Harmer himself.
The world Test champions are currently led by Aiden Markram on the tour of Pakistan, where they are trailing in the series after losing the first Test by 93 runs. The opening match was marred by sloppy fielding from South Africa, with several dropped catches allowing Pakistan to take control in the first innings. Although the visitors staged a decent comeback in the latter stages of the game, the damage from the first innings proved too costly to turn them over.
PAK vs SA 2nd Test Day 1: Live Updates
On Monday 21 October, South Africa opened the second Test with early promise as Harmer removed Imam-ul-Haq in the 13th over of the morning session. However, this initial breakthrough was not followed by sustained pressure as the pitch began to flatten out and offer little turn for the spinners.
Pakistan’s top order, led by opener Abdullah Shafiq and captain Shane Masood, took full advantage. The duo steadied the innings, closing the first session at 95 for 1 and continuing to pile on the runs in the second. Both batsmen went on to complete their individual fifties, with Shan Masood particularly effective in using his legs to counter the South African spin attack and disrupt their rhythm.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
October 20, 2025
