South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton made headlines by scoring his maiden Test double century during the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands, Cape Town. His outstanding innings has placed South Africa in a commanding position on Day 2, with the team’s score reaching 412/5 before lunch.
Rickelton’s Record-Breaking Double Ton
Rickelton completed his double century in 266 balls, becoming the first South African batter since Hashim Amla in 2016 to achieve this milestone. His innings featured 25 fours and a six, demonstrating a mix of solid defense and aggressive stroke play.
Rickelton’s knock, coupled with a 235-run partnership for the fourth wicket with skipper Temba Bavuma, has put the hosts in control of the match.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Balls Taken | 266 |
| Fastest SA Double Ton | Herschelle Gibbs (211 balls, 2003 vs PAK) |
| Partnership with Bavuma | 235 runs for the 4th wicket |
South Africa’s Strong Position
At the end of Day 1, South Africa was already in control with a score of 316/4, thanks to a brilliant partnership between Rickelton and skipper Temba Bavuma, who contributed a valuable 106 runs off 179 balls. By Day 2, the team had crossed the 400-run mark, with Kyle Verreynne also joining the party by scoring a quick fifty (58 off 83 balls).
Key Highlights of the Match (Day 2):
- South Africa’s Score: 412/5 (104.5 overs)
- Bavuma’s Contribution: 106 runs
- Verreynne’s Fifty: 58* off 83 balls
- Fall of Wickets:
- Aiden Markram: 17 (caught by Rizwan, bowled by Shahzad)
- Tristan Stubbs: 0 (duck, bowled by Agha Salman)
- David Bedingham: 5 (caught by Rizwan, bowled by Abbas)
See Also:- Most Wickets in a Test Match
Injury Woes for Pakistan
Pakistan suffered a setback as opener Saim Ayub was ruled out for six weeks after sustaining an ankle injury while fielding on Day 1. His absence will be a significant blow for Pakistan in the ongoing match and could affect their participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Bowling Performance
Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Mohammad Abbas and Agha Salman, tried to restrict South Africa but struggled against Rickelton’s brilliance. Abbas picked up two wickets, including the crucial dismissals of Bedingham and Mulder, while Agha Salman also claimed two scalps, including the prized wicket of Bavuma.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Abbas | 24 | 1 | 70 | 2 | 2.92 |
| Agha Salman | 23.5 | 1 | 77 | 2 | 3.23 |
| Khurram Shahzad | 20 | 3 | 86 | 1 | 4.30 |
Read Also:- Fastest batters to 1000 Test Runs
Rickelton’s IPL Stint
Interestingly, Rickelton’s rise in international cricket coincides with his growing popularity in the T20 format. He was picked by Mumbai Indians for Rs. 1 crore during the IPL 2025 auction. His double century in Cape Town further cements his reputation as one of the most promising batters in modern cricket.
Head-to-Head Record: South Africa vs Pakistan
| Matches Played | Pakistan Won | South Africa Won | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 6 | 16 | 7 |
