CENTURION: Rain played spoilsport on Saturday as the third day of the ongoing first Test between Pakistan and South Africa at the SuperSport Park has been delayed.

If the rain subsides, Pakistan will be resuming the third day on 88 for three, with star batters Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel at 16 and eight, respectively.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is just two runs short of erasing South Africa’s first innings lead of 90 runs.

Notably, South Africa would qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final for the first time with a victory in either match of this two-Test series.

Earlier on the second day, Pakistan’s top-order struggled, losing three wickets early.

The left-handed batter Saim Ayub was sent back to the pavilion for 27 after a promising start, falling to Kagiso Rabada with the score of 49.

Followed by skipper Shan Masood, who scored 28 runs before Tristan Stubbs caught the catch when Marco Jansen delivered third ball of the 16th over.

Kamran Ghulam, who smashed 54 runs in the first innings, was dismissed for four runs in the second phase after Jansen struck again, leaving Pakistan tattering at 74/3.

Proteas capitalised in the first innings by posting 301 runs in response to Pakistan’s total of 211, securing a 90-run lead.

Reflecting on the conditions, Aiden Markram said it was a typical Centurion pitch, providing assistance for the fast bowlers.

“While I was batting it did feel that at any time the ball could nip past your edge,” he said.

Markram cautioned South Africa would need to bowl well to press home their advantage on Saturday.