Twitter Reactions: Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne compound unrelenting misery on Pakistan

yan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne compound unrelenting misery on Pakistan (Photo Source – Getty Images)

Ryan Rickelton and David Bedingham resumed proceedings on Day 2 with the hosts comfortably placed. However, the latter did not last long. A faint edge to the wicket-keeper brought the end of him. This also marked Mohammad Rizwan’s fifth catch of the innings.

Out came Kyle Verreynne. His first boundary was a hefty blow over the deep backward square-leg region for a maximum. Rickelton brought up his double-century in the 93rd over, making him the first Test double-centurion for the Proteas since Hashim Amla in 2016. Verreynne took a special liking to Hamza as he brought up his seventh 50+ score in Tests in quick fashion.

A 17-run over off Aamer Jamal boosted the South African wicketkeeper-batter’s innings as South Africa wound up the first session adding 106 for the sixth wicket. The first couple of boundaries post Lunch were maximums by Verreynne and Rickelton, respectively, Salman Agha being on the receiving end on both instances. A single off the final delivery of the 120th over brought up a well-orchestrated ton by Verreynne.

Khurram Shahzad conceded 14 and 15 runs in his 23rd and 24th as Marco Jansen joined the party. The all-rounder brought up his half-century in just 42 deliveries. Rickelton was back in the shed in the subsequent over, but only after plundering 259, the joint-seventh highest Test score by a South African, in only his 10th Test. The visitors finally got their chance to bat, but only after letting the Proteas amass 615.

Kagiso Rabada produced an absolute pearler to get rid of Shan Masood in the very first over of the innings. A wicket-maiden by Jansen left Pakistan two-down as Kamran Ghulam had his stumps rattled. Meanwhile, Kwena Maphaka started off his Test career with a maiden.

Pakistan ended the day on 64/3 with a massive job at hand. They still trail by a gigantic 551 runs, and it will be interesting to see what Babar Azam, unbeaten on 31, Mohammad Rizwan, and the rest will be able to register.

Check out how X reacted to Day 2 of the second Test between SA and PAK: 

A tough day for Pakistan as South Africa piled on 615 runs, with both the bowling and batting failing miserably. Three key batters were dismissed cheaply. A disappointing performance all round! 👎🏼#SAvsPAK #PakistanCricket #BabarAzam #WTC25 #ShanMasood #MuhammadRizwan pic.twitter.com/YuIuvJosmn

— Sitarah Anjum Official (@SitarahAnjum) January 4, 2025

KWENA MAPHAKA, 17 YEARS OLD, HITS 145.4 KM/H ON HIS DEBUT! 💥🚀 #SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/WbcB5LYWFx

— Sports World 🏏⚽. (@ShamimSports) January 4, 2025

New Year ✨New Bat 🌠New Mindset 💫.

Babar Scored Classy Relexed 31* Notout ❤️‍🩹 .

𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘇𝗮𝗺 Looking So Focused Allah Save Him From Evil Eyes 🙌❤️. #BabarAzam𓃵 #BabarAzam #SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/ILyLHSm4ag

— Babarology 56 🇵🇸 (@HaroonRaso94849) January 4, 2025

Here is a equation for #BabarAzam𓃵 fans:
Was it the year 2024 or his Gray-Nicolls bat that was the issue?
Clearly he’s back!
Playing way out of his position, yet bating like the champion that he is!
The best batter in the world!
2025 is gonna be great again!#SAvPAK

— Whozaif (@iWhozaif) January 4, 2025

Brilliant batting by Babar azam 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #PAKvsSA #SAvsPAK #PakistanCricket #pcb #BabarAzam @babarazam258

— i.itachi786 (@i_muneeb786) January 4, 2025

Who will win?

South Africa vs Pakistan
2 Test 2 day
Pak trail by 551 runs

Like ❤️ for Pakistan
Retweet 🔁 for South Africa #PAKvsSA#SAvPAK #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/5FA3gMsEzU

— Dr Hamad Raxa🩺 (@Doctor_Chuckles) January 4, 2025