Keshav Maharaj’s Masterclass: How a 7-Wicket Haul Demolished Pakistan

Talk about a comeback story. Keshav Maharaj, fresh off a groin injury that had him warming the bench during South Africa’s first Test loss, decided to remind everyone exactly why he’s on the pitch. In a stunning display of skill that felt almost personal, Maharaj single-handedly dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, claiming an incredible seven wickets. It was a performance that didn’t just turn heads; it spun them right off.

Pakistan probably felt pretty comfortable resuming Day 2 on 259-5. They had a decent foundation, and with a series sweep in their sights, the mood was likely optimistic. But they didn’t account for Maharaj waking up and choosing violence. The left-arm spinner went on an absolute tear, leaving the hosts shell-shocked and all out for 333. It was less of a gentle decline and more of a full-blown, catastrophic collapse, all orchestrated by one man.

The Maharaj Show Begins

Let’s be real, the morning started promisingly enough for Pakistan. Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha looked settled, extending their partnership and batting with a sense of calm that, in hindsight, was just begging to be shattered. They added a solid 70 runs for the sixth wicket, pushing the total past 300. Shakeel even notched his 10th half-century, a milestone that, unfortunately for him, will be a mere footnote in the story of the Maharaj rampage.

You could almost feel the shift in the air. The South African pacers had been toiling away, getting close but not quite finding that breakthrough. Then, Maharaj stepped up. First, he trapped Agha leg-before for 45 with a ball that skidded on, a classic spinner’s trick on a pitch that was starting to offer some grip. It was the crack in the dam, and what followed was a flood.

Pakistan’s Epic Collapse

With one wicket down, Maharaj seemed to smell blood in the water. In his very next over, he tempted Shakeel with a delivery that found the outside edge, and captain Aiden Markram—who had dropped a catch the day before—made no mistake this time. Suddenly, the two set batsmen were gone, and the panic began to set in for Pakistan.

This is where things went from bad to comically tragic for the home side. Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was just named Pakistan’s new ODI captain, came to the crease. You’d think a newly crowned leader would want to make a statement. Well, he did, just not the one he intended. 

Maharaj clean-bowled him for a duck. It was a brutal, “welcome to the job” moment that also sealed Maharaj’s first five-wicket haul against Pakistan. The man was on fire, and the Pakistani tail-enders were just more fuel. He swiftly wrapped up the innings, dismissing Sajid Khan and Asif Afridi, as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for a measly 17 runs. It was a masterclass in spin bowling and a lesson in how quickly a game can change.

What Does This Mean for the Series?

After winning the first Test in Lahore by 93 runs, Pakistan was riding high, looking to secure a clean sweep against the World Test Champions. Now? Not so much. Maharaj’s performance has thrown a massive wrench in those plans. South Africa, in reply, calmly navigated to lunch at 9-0, surviving an early scare but looking composed.

The psychological blow of this collapse might be even more significant than the runs lost. Pakistan went from a position of strength to being completely undone by a single player. For South Africa, it’s a massive confidence booster. 

After a lackluster fielding display on Day 1, their catching sharpened up, and their star spinner, returning from injury, delivered a career-defining performance. It’s exactly the kind of momentum shift they needed. The Rawalpindi pitch is clearly offering something for the spinners, and with Maharaj in this kind of form, South Africa suddenly looks like a very dangerous team. The battle for this Test match, and the series, just got a whole lot more interesting.