First⁣ Session Recap: Pakistan Dominates

Pakistan, having won the⁣ toss and ‍electing to bat first, reached 107 for 1 at lunch on ‍the first day of the ⁣opening Test match against South Africa. The foundation for this strong start was laid by a 105-run second-wicket partnership between imam-ul-Haq and captain Shan Masood.

South Africa’s bowlers struggled to consistently trouble the ⁣Pakistani batsmen. Simon Harmer, however, found some success with his variations ⁢in⁢ pace and bounce. His third delivery ⁣pitched on middle stump and narrowly missed⁣ Masood’s outside edge. Harmer continued to exploit ⁣the bounce, but South Africa ⁢lacked support⁣ from the other end.

Masood targeted Keshav Maharaj, who was later⁣ replaced by Tshepo⁤ Muthusamy. Masood effectively utilized the reverse sweep against Muthusamy, even surviving a close call when an edge off the sweep wasn’t cleanly caught by Kyle Verreynne.

Imam Reaches Fifty, Rabada Tests Imam

Imam-ul-Haq reached his half-century, scoring 50 runs ⁢off 65 balls with ⁤a single off Harmer. Shortly before the⁢ lunch break, South Africa brought kagiso Rabada back into the attack. Rabada reviewed a delivery that struck⁣ imam on the front pad, but replays confirmed the ⁢impact was outside the line, allowing Imam to continue to 59 not out at the break.

Key Players and Stats⁢ (as of⁢ Lunch)