Pakistan's campaign in the second Test took a critical hit with Saim Ayub's unfortunate, match-ending injury after twisting his ankle in the field. His absence, confirmed by the PCB after further scans, not only depleted Pakistan’s playing XI but also disrupted the team's balance, significantly affecting their chances in both this Test and the series outcome. Losing a key player this early in the match reflects not just a physical blow but a psychological setback that visibly impacted the team's morale as shoulders dropped across the field. However, the brief resurgence just before lunch, where Pakistan managed to claim three crucial wickets in the final 40 minutes of the session, including Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, and Tristan Stubbs, showed flashes of fight. Yet, the manner of their dismissals raises a critical point—these wickets fell more due to South Africa's poor shot selection rather than consistent pressure applied by Pakistan. Mohammad Abbas, who posed the most significant threat early on, was allowed just one effective spell before the bowling plan seemed to falter. This highlights a recurring issue: Pakistan's inability to capitalize on breakthroughs and maintain pressure over extended spells. While the bowling unit, especially Abbas, showed moments of brilliance, the tactical follow-up was lacking. Allowing South Africa to rebuild after the initial breakthroughs could prove costly, especially with a weakened lineup due to Ayub's absence, making the team more vulnerable to fatigue and tactical errors. Moving forward in this match and the series, Pakistan cannot afford to let emotional setbacks dictate their performance. The management must find ways to keep the team motivated and tactically sharp despite the injury setback. Failure to do so could lead to not just a Test loss but a series defeat shaped more by Pakistan's own shortcomings than the opposition's brilliance.
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