By Amir Khan, Senior Cricket Correspondent | October 22, 2025

The Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd Test 2025 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has turned into a nail-biter, with Day 3 stumps seeing Pakistan at 333 & 94/4, leading by 23 runs after South Africa’s resilient 404 all out. Debutant Asif Afridi’s record 6-fer lit up Pakistan’s bowling, but Kagiso Rabada’s maiden Test fifty (71) and Senuran Muthusamy’s gritty 89 flipped the script for the Proteas. With Babar Azam unbeaten on 49*, Day 4 promises fireworks in this WTC 2025-27 clash. In this PAK vs SA live score update, we dive into match highlights, full scorecard, team news, head-to-head stats, and betting tips for the ultimate Pakistan vs South Africa Test series guide. Can Shan Masood’s men seal a 2-0 whitewash, or will Temba Bavuma’s side level the series? Let’s break it down.

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The Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium – A Bowler’s Graveyard with Spin Surprises

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with a 15,000 capacity, is a batting haven known for flat tracks and high scores – remember the 2022 epic where Pakistan chased 505 vs England? Opened in 1992, this Pindi fortress has hosted 28 Tests, favoring seam early but spin later. Today’s pitch? Dry and cracking, aiding Afridi’s haul but allowing SA’s tail to wag for a 71-run lead. Average first innings: 350+; expect low bounce on Day 4. Fun fact: Pakistan unbeaten in 5 home Tests here since 2023.

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Pakistan’s Form: Home Dominance Eyes WTC Boost in 2025 Series

Pakistan’s recent form is solid: Winners of the 1st Test by 7 wickets (Lahore), with Saud Shakeel’s ton and Naseem Shah’s bowling starring. In this 2nd Test, first innings 333 (Shakeel 114) set the tone, but SA’s comeback tested them. Afridi’s 6/69 (oldest debutant at 38) was magical, but second innings wobbles (4/94) put pressure on Babar (49) and Rizwan (16). WTC stat: Pakistan 2nd with 100% PCT from one win; a series sweep catapults them higher.

South Africa’s Resilience: Tail Wags Defy Odds in PAK vs SA Test

South Africa’s recent form mixes grit with glitches: Lost 1st Test but fought back here from 235/8 to 404, thanks to Rabada-Muthusamy 119-run stand. Bavuma’s 75 anchored, but top-order collapses persist. Bowling? Maharaj 0/30 in second innings; need early wickets on Day 4. X chatter: "Rabada’s 50 steals show,” 60% predict SA fightback. WTC woes: SA at 8th with 0% PCT; a draw salvages pride.

Toss, Lineups, and Live Score Updates: PAK Lead by 23 at Stumps

Toss: Pakistan won, batted first – bold on a seaming deck.

Pakistan Lineup: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Asif Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah.

South Africa Lineup: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Senuran Muthusamy, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson.

Live Score Updates: PAK 333 & 94/4 (Babar 49, Rizwan 16); SA 404 (Muthusamy 89, Rabada 71; Afridi 6/69). Watch PAK vs SA highlights on PCB Live or ESPNcricinfo.

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Head-to-Head Stats: Pakistan’s Home Edge in PAK vs SA Tests

History even: In 30 Tests, Pakistan 6 wins, South Africa 15, 9 draws. In Pakistan: PAK 4-2. Recent? PAK won 1st Test; last series SA 2-0 (2021). Average runs: 300+ innings.

H2H Stats	PAK Wins	SA Wins	Draws	Avg Total
Overall	6	15	9	600+
In Pakistan	4	2	4	550+

Pakistan’s Rawalpindi record: 3 wins in 5 vs SA.

Key Players to Watch: Stars Shining in WTC 2025 Series

• Pakistan: Asif Afridi (6/69 debut), Babar Azam (49* pressure knock), Saud Shakeel (114).
• South Africa: Kagiso Rabada (71 & wickets), Senuran Muthusamy (89), Temba Bavuma (75).

X hype: "Afridi debut magic!” trends post-haul.

Bold Predictions and Betting Tips: PAK Favorites for Day 4 Drama

Prediction: Pakistan wins by 150+ runs. Babar ton (100+), Afridi 4-fer; under 200 SA 2nd innings.

Top Betting Tips (Odds via Bet365/CricketBet):

• Pakistan Win: 1.50 – Home advantage seals.
• Over 5.5 Wickets (Day 4): 1.80 – Pitch deteriorates.
• Babar Azam 100+ Runs: 2.50 – Due for big one.
• Under 250 Total (SA 2nd Innings, Value Bet): 1.90 – Collapse looms.

X sentiment: 65% PAK victory; streams on PCB YouTube or SonyLIV.

Why This Matters: WTC Implications in Pakistan vs South Africa Series 2025

A win boosts Pakistan to WTC top-two contention; SA needs miracle for recovery. This PAK vs SA Test series 2025 revives red-ball passion – home spin vs away pace.

Your predictions? Comment below – #PAKvSA #WTC2025 #PakistanCricket #Proteas

Amir Khan covers Asian cricket for elite pubs. Odds change; bet responsibly (18+).