South Africa cruised to a dominant 10-wicket win over Pakistan in the second Test held in Cape Town, clinching the series 2-0. Despite a spirited second-innings effort from Pakistan, the hosts comfortably chased down a target of just 58 runs late on Day 4.

Pakistan had been forced to follow on after falling a massive 421 runs short in their first innings. They showed grit, fighting back to post an impressive 478 — the highest follow-on total by a visiting team in South Africa. However, South Africa needed only 7.1 overs to seal the game, with David Bedingham smashing an unbeaten 44 off 30 balls. Bedingham stepped in as an opener after Ryan Rickelton, who had scored a superb 259 in South Africa’s first innings of 615, was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Pakistan’s second-innings resistance was led by captain Shan Masood, who played a brilliant knock of 145. However, his fight ended when he was trapped leg before wicket by 18-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka with the second new ball. This dismissal came shortly after Kagiso Rabada removed Saud Shakeel for 23, breaking a steady 51-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Pakistan, already one batter short due to Saim Ayub’s ankle injury on the first day, still trailed by 92 runs after these setbacks.

Despite the odds, Pakistan kept battling. Mohammad Rizwan (41) and Salman Agha (48) added a crucial 88-run stand for the sixth wicket, while Aamer Jamal contributed a quick-fire 34. However, the South African bowlers had to work hard on a flat pitch that offered little help. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj bowled tirelessly for 45 overs, taking 3 wickets for 137 runs, but found minimal turn even on Day 4.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed at 213 for one but lost two wickets in the morning session. Khurram Shahzad fell for 18, caught at point off Marco Jansen, while Kamran Ghulam was bowled for 28 by Rabada with a delivery that jagged back sharply. After lunch, the new ball proved decisive as Masood and Shakeel’s dismissals tilted the game further in South Africa’s favor.

South Africa’s win marks their seventh consecutive Test victory, a streak that puts them in strong form ahead of the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in June.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Babar Azam reflected on the ups and downs of the match during a press conference. He shared insights into the team’s approach and his own performance. According to Babar, there wasn’t a major change in strategy between the first and second innings — it was all about focusing on partnerships. “The coach told us to stick to our game,” he said. “Shan [Masood] and I managed to get a good start in the second innings, but we couldn’t capitalize enough in the first.”

Babar also discussed the tricky pitch conditions, explaining how certain patches offered unpredictable turn and bounce for spinners while posing challenges for batters and fast bowlers alike. Addressing an on-field altercation with South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, Babar brushed it off as “heat-of-the-moment stuff” and said such incidents are part of cricket.

Reflecting on his dismissals, Babar admitted frustration. He described his first-innings dismissal as “shocking” after being caught behind down the leg side and rued chasing a wide delivery in the second innings after building a solid partnership with Masood.

With this defeat, Pakistan will need to regroup as they look ahead to future challenges, while South Africa’s confidence continues to grow with their remarkable form heading into cricket’s grandest stage at Lord’s.