Pakistan Break 123-Year-Old Record, Become First Team In The World To...

Pakistan posted a total of 478 after being asked to follow-on Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS Pakistan created history in the Newlands Tests

Pakistan broke a record set in 1902

South Africa posted a total of 615 in the first innings

The Pakistan cricket team wrote their name in the history books after a remarkable comeback in the second Test against South Africa currently taking place at the scenic Newlands Stadium in Cape Town with skipper Shan Masood and former captain Babar Azam leading the way.

Coming into the match with a 1-0 lead and after securing a place in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, South Africa enjoyed a dream outing with the bat in the first innings after winning the toss. The hosts put up a huge total of 615 on the board. Ryan Rickleton scored a knock of 259 while skipper Temba Bavuma and wicket-keeper batter Kyle Verreynne scored centuries.

In reply, the visitors were bowled out for a score of just 194 despite a half-century from Babar Azam. After taking a huge 421-run lead, South Africa decided to enforce the follow-on.

Pakistan put up a much better performance in their second innings as Masood and Babar put up a 205-run partnership, which is the highest by an opening pair in history. Shan hit a knock of 145 while Babar was dismissed for 81.

Pakistan Breaks 123-Year-Old Record

On Day 4, Pakistan ensured that South Africa would have to bat again in the fourth innings to seal victory after going past their first-innings lead. The Asian giants posted a total of 478 on the board leaving the home team

With their incredible display in the second innings, Pakistan broke a 123-year-old record of the Australian cricket team for the highest total by a visiting team in South Africa while following on. The Shan-led outfit is the first team in cricket history to score 400 runs in an innings in a follow-on in South Africa against the home team.

Most runs in South Africa by a visiting team in a follow-in innings Team Total Year Venue Pakistan 47 2025 Cape Town Australia 372/7 1902 Johannesburg West Indies 348/10 2004 Centurion New Zealand 342/10 2000 Bloemfontein Sri Lanka 342/10 2012 Cape Town Pakistan also jointly holds the record of the highest score in a follow-on innings alongside India. Both posted totals of 657 against the West Indies (Barbados 1958) and Australia (Kolkata 2001). Pakistan also jointly holds the record of the highest score in a follow-on innings alongside India. Both posted totals of 657 against the West Indies (Barbados 1958) and Australia (Kolkata 2001).

Pakistan's total of 478 is also the second-highest on South African soil in a follow-on innings, behind the home team's total of 572 against England in Durban (1999).

Pakistan is the only third team to overcome a first-innings deficit of 400 runs while following on after themselves against West Indies (473) in 1958 at Barbados and South Africa against Australia (400) at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2002.

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