Pakistan slump in SA Test; 3-3 draw in Johor hockey
Pakistan endured a mixed day in sport as the national cricket team collapsed against South Africa in the first Test, with spinners Senuran Muthuswamy and Simon Harmer dismantling the batting lineup, while the country’s junior hockey side battled to a 3-3 draw against India in a Sultan of Johor Cup thriller.
Cricket: Harmer, Muthuswamy spin South Africa toward 1–0 lead
South Africa moved to the brink of a 1–0 series lead in the opening Test after their spin duo of Senuran Muthuswamy and Simon Harmer ripped through Pakistan’s batting, India Today reported. The pair exploited helpful conditions to trigger a collapse that left Pakistan with an uphill task as the match headed into its final stages.
Muthuswamy, a left-arm spinner, and Harmer, an off-spinner, combined to apply sustained pressure through disciplined lines and subtle variations, repeatedly beating the bat and forcing errors at crucial moments. Their control through the middle overs and lower-order burst proved decisive as Pakistan failed to stitch together meaningful partnerships.
Pakistan camp reacts to batting collapse
In the aftermath of the slump, Pakistan coach Azhar Mahmood attributed the batting failure to poor decision-making at the crease. He blamed “shot selection” for the collapse and urged greater application and clarity in approach, according to ESPN. Mahmood acknowledged South Africa’s spinners executed their plans well but stressed that Pakistan’s top and middle order must take responsibility for protecting their wickets in testing conditions.
The collapse revived familiar concerns for Pakistan in red-ball cricket—particularly on surfaces providing grip for spin—where periods of poor judgment have undone otherwise promising positions. With South Africa eyeing a 1–0 advantage, Pakistan face immediate questions over technique and temperament ahead of the next red-ball assignment.
What comes next for Pakistan cricket
As the first Test tilts decisively South Africa’s way, Pakistan’s focus will shift to regrouping quickly: reassessing batting plans against spin, prioritising partnerships, and sharpening defensive play. Team management will also review selection balance and batting order roles to ensure greater stability in the remaining matches of the series.
Hockey: India and Pakistan juniors share points in 3-3 thriller
In Malaysia, Pakistan’s junior hockey team earned a spirited 3-3 draw against India in a pulsating Sultan of Johor Cup encounter, Outlook India reported. The see-saw contest, featuring India’s Blue Colts and Pakistan’s colts, delivered end-to-end action with both teams trading goals and momentum until the final whistle.
The result sees the arch-rivals split the points in the round-robin phase of the under-21 tournament, preserving both sides’ hopes of advancing with knockout ambitions intact. For Pakistan’s youngsters, the comeback resilience and attacking verve against a high-tempo Indian side offered encouragement as the team navigates a congested schedule in Johor Bahru.
Tournament context and implications
The Sultan of Johor Cup routinely showcases Asia’s most promising junior talent, and the latest India-Pakistan installment matched the occasion with its high intensity and late drama. While the draw leaves qualification scenarios open, it provides Pakistan a valuable platform to build momentum, refine penalty-corner routines, and tighten defensive structures ahead of their next fixtures.
Mixed fortunes underline contrasting lessons
Pakistan’s sporting docket delivered two contrasting lessons: in cricket, a reminder of the premium on discipline and patience in spin-friendly conditions; in hockey, a testament to the juniors’ fight and composure under pressure. With South Africa closing in on a 1–0 Test lead, Pakistan’s red-ball unit will look to reset quickly, even as the country’s junior hockey side seeks to convert a hard-earned point into a springboard for the remainder of the Sultan of Johor Cup.