The hosts had resumed their first innings on 315/5 on Monday morning but managed to add only 63 runs before their innings folded. Mohammad Rizwan, who returned to the crease on 62 not out, added 13 more runs before being stumped by Kyle Verreynne for 75 off 140 deliveries. 

His batting partner, Salman Agha, went on to score 41 more runs, reaching 93, before being caught by Muthusamy off the bowling of Prenelan Subrayen.

Salman Agha. Photo: Cricinfo

Pakistan’s innings, which had looked strong at one stage, collapsed dramatically, losing five wickets for just 16 runs in a stunning collapse. Agha finished as the joint highest scorer alongside Imam-ul-Haq, who had made 93 on Sunday. 

Captain Shan Masood contributed 76, while Rizwan was the fourth-highest scorer for the hosts.

The former North West Dragons captain, Muthusamy, was the standout bowler for the Proteas, claiming career-best figures of 6/117 in 32 overs, decimating Pakistan’s middle order. 

Subrayen supported him well, picking up 2/78 in 25.4 overs. The fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and spinner Simon Harmer chipped in with a wicket apiece, ensuring the spinners claimed nine of the ten Pakistani wickets.

Senuran Muthusamy. Photo: Cricinfo

The Proteas’ dominant spin attack has set the tone early in this Test, giving South Africa a strong chance to assert control in the Test. With Muthusamy in such fine form, Pakistan will need a determined response in their second innings to recover from this early setback.

First, the Proteas will have to ensure they put in a solid performance with the bat during their first innings, and they will have to graft hard for a competitive total, as it is expected the pitch will get lower as the Test progresses.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg