Babar Azam and Shan Masood etched their names in the record books with a remarkable 205-run opening stand against South Africa in the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town. The partnership not only gave Pakistan a fighting chance after being forced to follow on but also set a new world record for the highest opening partnership while following on in Test cricket, surpassing the 204-run stand by Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith in 2008.
The Record-Breaking Partnership
Coming into bat after being bowled out for just 194 in the first innings and trailing by 421 runs, Pakistan’s openers showed great resilience and determination. Babar Azam played a fluent knock of 81 runs off 124 balls, while Shan Masood stood firm, remaining unbeaten on 105 off 172 balls.
Their partnership of 205 runs surpassed Pakistan’s previous highest opening stand while following on, set by Hanif Mohammad and Imtiaz Ahmed (158 runs) against West Indies in 1958.
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Key Stats of the Partnership
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shan Masood | 105* | 172 | 14 | 61.05% |
| Babar Azam | 81 | 124 | 10 | 65.32% |
Their efforts ensured Pakistan ended Day 3 on 213/1 and continued to build on their innings on Day 4, reaching 224/1 by lunch.
World Record: Highest Opening Partnerships While Following On
Babar Azam and Shan Masood’s partnership now tops the list of highest opening partnerships while following on in Test history.
| Partners | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam, Shan Masood | 205 | South Africa | Cape Town | 2025 |
| Neil McKenzie, Graeme Smith | 204 | England | Lord’s | 2008 |
| Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal | 185 | England | Lord’s | 2010 |
| Marcus Trescothick, Vaughan | 182 | West Indies | St John’s | 2004 |
Pakistan’s First Innings Struggles
Earlier in the match, Pakistan’s batting order collapsed in the first innings, managing only 194 runs in 54.2 overs. Despite a valiant 58-run knock by Babar Azam and 46 by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan couldn’t withstand the pace and accuracy of South Africa’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada (3/55) and Keshav Maharaj (2/14).
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Pakistan’s 1st Innings Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 58 | 127 | 7 | 45.67 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 46 | 82 | 2 | 56.10 |
| Agha Salman | 19 | 22 | 3 | 86.36 |
| Shan Masood | 2 | 6 | 0 | 33.33 |
South Africa’s Dominant First Innings
South Africa dominated the match early on, piling up a mammoth 615 runs in their first innings. Ryan Rickelton led the charge with a splendid 259 off 343 balls, while Temba Bavuma contributed a crucial 106 runs off 179 balls. Kyle Verreynne added a quick-fire 100 off 147 balls, helping the hosts cross the 600-run mark.
South Africa’s 1st Innings Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Rickelton | 259 | 343 | 29 | 3 | 75.51 |
| Temba Bavuma | 106 | 179 | 9 | 2 | 59.22 |
| Kyle Verreynne | 100 | 147 | 9 | 5 | 68.03 |
| Marco Jansen | 62 | 54 | 8 | 3 | 114.81 |
Babar Azam and Shan Masood’s heroic partnership has breathed new life into Pakistan’s second innings after a poor first-innings performance. While South Africa remains in control of the match, Pakistan’s fightback has earned them much-needed respect. With Masood still at the crease and more than a day’s play left, Pakistan will look to reduce the deficit further and push the game into a final-day contest.
