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South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada scripted history with the bat on Wednesday with a sensational half-century on Day 3 of the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Known for his lethal pace bowling, Rabada showed his prowess with the bat with a blazing knock while batting at No.11. Playing his 73rd Test, Rabada scored his maiden fifty, finally reaching the landmark a decade after making his Test debut.
Rabada turned the tide in South Africa's favour when Pakistan were on top after dismissing South Africa's ninth wicket on 304.
The pacer launched a stunning counter-attacking onslaught and stitched a 98-run partnership for the last wicket with Senuran Muthusamy, who played a remarkable 89-run innings and stayed undefeated. The last-wicket stand made Pakistani bowlers toil on a hot afternoon in Rawalpindi and helped the Proteas take a 71-run lead in the first innings.
Rabada, courtesy of the incredible onslaught, which included four boundaries and as many sixes, set a new record for South Africa, registering the highest individual score by a No. 11 batter. The right-arm pacer, who bats left-handed, broke a 119-year-old record held by Bert Voglur, who scored 62 runs at No.11 against England in 1906.
Overall, Rabada's 71 ranks fourth among the top five scores by No. 11 batters in the history of Test cricket. Australia's Ashton Agar tops the list with 98 against England in Nottingham in 2013, followed by Tino Best (95 vs England in 2012), James Anderson (81 vs India in 2014), and Zaheer Khan (75 vs Bangladesh in 2004)
Rabada was going great guns, but his innings was cut short in the 120th over of the innings after he was caught at long-on while attempting to hit Asif Afridi for a six.
Rabada and Muthusamy put the Proteas in the driver's seat with a brilliant partnership, and the good work was carried forward by the bowlers.
At Stumps on Day 3, Pakistan had reached 94 runs for the loss of four wickets in 35 overs. The hosts made a horrible start, losing their first three wickets for just 16 runs, with Simon Harmer picking up three and Rabada bagging a wicket.
Pakistan's hopes of a rescue rest on the shoulders of Babar Azam (49*) and Mohammad Rizwan (16*). The seasoned pair stopped the rut and added an unbeaten 34 runs for the fifth wicket as Pakistan ended the day with a 23-run lead.
