Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Both captains share the trophy as the series ends 1-1. South Africa were found searching a bit in the first Test but considering they had to adjust quickly in unfamiliar conditions, it was still a good fight from them. Pakistan's batting collapses in both innings went unnoticed in Lahore as their bowlers won the game for them. But on this occasion in Rawalpindi, their batting collapses in both innings came back to haunt them. Credit must be given to Maharaj as he set things up for his side with a brilliant 7-wicket haul. He is a shrewd operator in these kind of conditions. Asif Afridi's 6-fer on debut was the highlight from Pakistan's point of view. The 38-year-old had to wait long for his opportunity in the international circuit and he made it count big time with a memorable performance. A third Test in this series would have been the icing on the cake considering how closely it was fought but not to be. The action will now shift to the 3-match T20I series between these two sides which will begin in about a week's time. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!

Aiden Markram | South Africa captain (1/3): Yeah, a really good response after the first Test. I think we were put under pressure in this Test match once again. And there were moments where guys had to put their hands up and stand up for the team they really excelled in that. You take a lot of confidence and a lot of belief from wins. But when your character is tested and you manage to come out on the right side, I think that means quite a bit more. (On the team putting in a collective effort) It feels that way, which is a great space to be in as a team. Naturally, we're in different conditions here. It's still a work in progress for us, playing in these conditions.  But for guys to put up their hands at various stages throughout the game, throughout the series, is a big positive for us. So, again, it gives the change room heaps of belief, heaps of confidence. And again, a work in progress and something that we can keep looking forward to.

Markram (2/3): (On the spinners in the team) I think the unit that is out here in these conditions is up there with the best in the world. And generally, you think of South Africa as just seamers with the odd spinner here and there. But I think in conditions like this, the guys that put their hands up and put in performances, it's bloody exciting for us as a team to see. (On the last wicket stand and Rabada) I've seen KG play that role in the nets. He's always got the shot of the day. Yeah, he had 100 on the cards there, 100 avoidance, so I'm sure he'll have a fine for that later. But very cool to watch. Again, a precious situation and it was calculated. He wasn't just swinging at everything. He was picking the right one and he deserves a lot of credit for that knock. He won't speak much about KG Rabada, the batter, but he won a Test match for us with a batter's game.

Markram (3/3): (Going into the India series with confidence from this win) I would think so, yeah. Again, you take what you can from a series like this. Obviously, this win is great for the change room. But there's plenty of lessons that we learned throughout this series and we'll have to keep chipping away. Like I mentioned, we're a work in progress in conditions like these and we head to India and there'll be more lessons for us to learn there and things to get right and put in big performances and see where that ends up.

Shan Masood | Pakistan captain (1/3 ): (Asked if they could have done anything better) Hindsight is 20-20 so you'll always feel you can do things differently. But look, you have to give credit to the opposition. Even in the first Test match when they had that partnership with Rickleton and De Zorzi, then in the fourth innings they kept fighting. In this Test match it felt like they found a method from 1 to 11. But if we put ourselves before the series, if we said that this would be the situation (98 runs ahead and only two wickets to take) after two days and the first hour of the third day, we would have gladly taken it. Unfortunately, we didn't finish the first innings off in terms of our bowling. Those last two wickets cost us dearly and then it put us under a lot of pressure. And in these conditions, you've normally seen that it's the difference between the first innings that leads into the third and fourth innings.

Masood | Pakistan captain (2/3): (On runs not coming in the second innings) We're not shying away but in these conditions it will always be a reflection of the first two innings. We had a great opportunity to close it out when we had a lead of 98 with two wickets to go. We tried a lot of things. Muthusamy, Maharaj and Rabada played well. But there were a lot of chances on offer. So we'll have to look back at those chances half an hour before Lunch (Day 3). I think there were about four or five chances that we missed out. In Test cricket, like I said, we're measuring ourselves against a team that's won this Test championship. So you can't give them opportunities in a costly period of 30 minutes.

Masood | Pakistan captain (3/3): (Asked if playing on spin-friendly pitches is the way forward or does it need a relook) Look, it's been four wins out of six since we've operated on these wickets. Obviously, the wickets have gotten a bit better. They've been much more battable. Four out of six isn't bad considering the two Test matches we've lost we've actually gone into winning positions and not finished games off. Could easily be six out of six. But again, we have a lot to work on. There are a lot of things, like you said, when it comes to lower order batting, when it comes to finishing the innings off, when it comes to the third innings of batting. Also, when it comes to both first innings where we could have posted something North of 400 and we didn't. So, as a side, you're never perfect. You have a lot to work on. But four out of six is something you can always build on.

Senuran Muthusamy | PoTS: Just tried to do my best at every opportunity to try to win the game. I think this Test match meant a lot more because we did win the game.The first test was good. It was lovely to get a good few spells of bowling and to get a few wickets and contribute. (On playing spin well) I think I grew up in Durban which is a coastal city back home and I think it is quite spin friendly. So I think I've had a chance to practice in those conditions and formulate a good game plan. I'm just grateful to be able to implement it when we tour the subcontinent. I think Kesh (Maharaj) and Harmer bowled really well and they are world class operators. So I just try to do my best when I get a go. (On the partnership with Rabada) Yes, I think initially it was for me to farm the strike and I think he grew so comfortable at the crease that it became a case of just trying to get as many runs as we can and the way he struck the ball was incredible. I think the partnership with Kesh first and then KG (Rabada) was special and it was one that I'll remember.

Keshav Maharaj | PoTM (1/3): I just tried to rely on the flight that I have and the wicket didn't sort of deteriorate too much from the first innings. So I tried to be as consistent as possible and had good support from my teammates on the other side. Just trying to control the rate to play old-fashioned Test cricket. (On the experience the spinners share) Yeah, very much so. I think even someone like Sen, he's a youngster to international cricket, but he's played a lot of first-class cricket. So, you know, that's a wonderful opportunity for us to put our hands up when the opportunities come. But yes, there's a lot of knowledge amongst the change room, not just from the bowlers' front, but also from the batter's front. So it's nice to have that tactical awareness on the field that you sometimes don't get to see.

Maharaj (2/3): (On him doing well with the bat) I sat with someone who is very dear to me prior to coming down here, his name is Prasanna (PDogg, former Proteas team analyst). And, you know, we sort of identified ways in which I can combat the conditions and I tried to play accordingly. But I think my main support role was Sen (Muthusamy). He was doing so well. And we decided that we want to take the bull by the horns and really put the pressure on them. We were fortunate enough for it to come off. I did take the few chances that came my way. But, yeah, I think full credit must actually go to Sen and KG (Rabada). That last-wicket partnership really put us ahead.

Maharaj (3/3): (On spinners stepping up for the team to contribute to wins) Yeah, very much so. I think this transition of the team has been phenomenal. We had a good start in Bangladesh in the previous cycle and to come here against a strong Pakistani team. And, you know, people who know their conditions really well. So it's a wonderful feather in our cap. It shows how much we're growing as a unit. And, you know, wonderful opportunities for the series to come (against India) to gain match practice. But to see the character shine through is really important for us.

Babar looked good till he lasted but Pakistan needed a long innings from him and maybe a couple of more contributions as well. Instead they let Harmer record his career-best Test figures - 6/50, while Maharaj chipped in with two important wickets as well. 68 runs were a mere formality and Markram didn't want this game to go beyond the morning session. Defended a few to get used to the pace of the pitch and switched gears. Almost took his side home but Rickelton completed the formalities.

12:08 Local Time, 07:08 GMT, 12:38 IST: The series is square 1-1 and what an important win this is for the World Test Champions. Away wins are critical for touring teams in the WTC scenario as teams are generally expected to have a large say at home. That is the only way to be playing the final but Pakistan unfortunately have dropped crucial points here. It was all good till about an hour in the morning session yesterday. Suddenly you saw dropped chances, stumping missed, fumbles to leak runs and from 235/8 the Proteas escaped to 404. Muthusamy dug deep, Maharaj was bold, Rabada was audacious and Pakistan were really clueless. Having conceded a 71-run lead, the hosts made matters worse by losing three early wickets, thanks to Harmer and Rabada.

Noman Ali to Stubbs, THATS OUT!! Caught!!