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Simon Harmer Enters 1,000-Wicket Club as Proteas Level Pakistan Test Series

South Africa leveled the Test series against Pakistan with a convincing eight-wicket victory in Rawalpindi. The match saw spinner Simon Harmer achieve the remarkable milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets, joining an elite group of cricketers. Keshav Maharaj was instrumental with both bat and ball, earning the Player of the Match award for his nine wickets and crucial lower-order contribution. The Proteas comfortably chased down the modest target of 68 runs to end the series 1-1.

Key Points: Harmer 1000 Wickets as South Africa Beat Pakistan in 2nd Test

  • Simon Harmer becomes 4th capped South African to reach 1000 first-class wickets
  • Keshav Maharaj claims Player of Match with nine wickets and crucial 30 runs
  • South Africa chase down 68 runs comfortably to win by eight wickets
  • Pakistan collapse for 138 in second innings despite Babar Azam's half-century
3 min read

SA's Harmer enters 1,000 first-class wickets club as Proteas beat Pakistan in 2nd Test to end series 1-1

Simon Harmer joins elite 1000-wicket club while South Africa secure eight-wicket victory over Pakistan, leveling Test series 1-1 in Rawalpindi.

"Harmer has become the 217th player to achieve 1,000 first-class wickets - Match Report"

Rawalpindi, October 23

Spinner Simon Harmer joined the 1,000 first-class wickets as South Africa ended the two-match Test series against Pakistan with an eight-wicket win at Rawalpindi, easily chasing down 68 runs set to win.

The two-match series concluded with both teams sharing the trophy, the scoreline reading 1-1. Harmer has become the 217th player to achieve 1,000 first-class wickets and the fourth capped South African cricketer after Buck" Llewellyn (1,013 wickets), Mike Procter (1,417) and Allan Donald (1,216) to reach the milestone. Wilfred Rhodes of England has the most first-class wickets, with 4,204 scalps in 1,110 games.

Pakistan started the day four at 94/4, with Babar Azam (49*) and Mohammed Rizwan (16*) unbeaten. Babar reached his half-century and could not add anything more to that one more run to reach the milestone.

Harmer (6/50) and Keshav Maharaj (2/34) unleashed destruction as Pakistan was bundled out for 138 runs, leaving the hosts with a lead of just 67 runs. Pakistan had elected to bat first, scoring 333 in the first innings, and SA responded with 404 runs to secure a 71-run lead.

Ryan Rickelton (25* in 29 balls, with two fours and a six) and skipper Aiden Markram (42 in 45 balls, with eight fours) led SA to an easy eight-wicket win in 12.3 overs.

Earlier in the first innings, Pakistan had opted to bat first. Half-centuries came from Abdullah Shafique (57 in 146 balls, with four boundaries), skipper Shan Masood (87 in 146 balls, with two fours and three sixes) and Saud Shakeel (66 in 147 balls, with four boundaries) as Pakistan posted 333 runs.

An 111-run stand for the second wicket between Shafique and Masood was the highlight of the innings for Pakistan. Salman Agha (45 in 76 balls, with five fours) also put on a 70-run stand for the sixth wicket with Shakeel, taking Pakistan past the 300-run mark. Keshav Maharaj (7/102) was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas.

In the second innings, the Proteas were eight down for 235, despite contributions from Tristan Stubbs (76 in 205 balls, with six fours and a six) and Tony de Zorzi (55 in 93 balls, with a four and two sixes). Then in the lower order, Senuran Muthusamy (89* in 155 balls, with eight fours) stitched a partnership with Keshav (30 in 53 balls, with two fours) for 71 runs for the ninth wicket and with Kagiso Rabada (71 in 61 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes), 98 runs partnership for the 10th wicket. Rabada managed to score his first-ever professional cricket half-century. Proteas were bundled out for 404 runs, leading by 71 runs.

Asif Afridi (6/79) and Noman Ali (2/92) were the top bowlers for Pakistan.

Pakistan could extend their lead to just 67, as Harmer and Maharaj's spells restricted them to 138 runs.

Maharaj secured the 'Player of the Match' award for his nine wickets and a crucial 30 in the first innings.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Pakistan's batting collapse in the second innings was disappointing. They had a good first innings total but couldn't capitalize. Babar Azam getting out immediately after his fifty was the turning point. South Africa's lower order batting was exceptional though!
A
Arjun K
Kagiso Rabada scoring 71 and his first professional half-century was unexpected but brilliant! The 98-run partnership for the 10th wicket shows South Africa's batting depth. Test cricket at its best! 🇿🇦
S
Sarah B
While it's great to see Harmer's milestone, I feel the article focuses too much on individual achievements rather than the team dynamics. The series ending 1-1 shows both teams had their moments, but the coverage could be more balanced.
K
Karthik V
Maharaj deserved the Player of the Match award completely! 7 wickets in first innings and crucial 30 runs, plus 2 more in second innings. What an all-round performance from the spinner. Pakistan really missed a quality spinner like Yasir Shah in this match.
M
Michael C
The partnership between Shafique and Masood (111 runs) was impressive, but Pakistan couldn't build on that foundation. South Africa's resilience in their first innings, especially from the lower order, made the difference. Good competitive cricket!

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