South Africa gained firm grip on Day 3 of the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, taking an unexpected first-innings lead before they decimated the hosts' lower order. Returning at 185/4, South Africa lost Kyle Verreynne in early trouble, then 210/7 after quickfalls by Tristan Stubbs and Simon Harmer. All three wickets fell to Asif Afridi, becoming the oldest Test debutant in history at 38 years and 299 days to record a five-wicket haul. Noman Ali got Marco Jansen lbw, reducing South Africa to eight down and 98 behind, seemingly giving Pakistan a first-innings advantage. But two outstanding lower-order stands altered the fortunes of the match. Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj put on 71 runs together, despite Pakistan's lackadaisical fielding and missed chances. Maharaj was finally stumped by Noman after taking the stand to Lunch at 285/8, while Muthusamy made it a fifty soon after and reflected great determination. Also Read | Former CSK Batter Claims He Could Have Scored 5,000 More Runs Than Sachin Tendulkar No. 11 Kagiso Rabada joined Muthusamy in an 98-run partnership, with aggression and measured defence getting South Africa to 400 and a 71-run first-innings lead. Rabada made his Test fifty on debut before falling for 71, leaving Muthusamy on 89*, one of the day's best performances. Pakistan's innings got off to a shaky start, with Abdullah Shafique almost run out off the first legitimate delivery. Harmer got rid of Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood in successive deliveries, while Jansen got rid of Shafique to leave Pakistan 16/3. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam contributed 44 runs to stabilize the innings, but Harmer got rid of Saud. Babar and Mohammad Rizwan then saw to it that Pakistan regained some ground, with Babar not out on 49, to take Pakistan to a slim 23-run lead. At the stumps on Day 3, Pakistan had six wickets in hand but were still under pressure, withstanding a strong South African attack. The lower-order resistance of the visitors and the attacking innings of Rabada had totally reversed the momentum, placing South Africa well-placed for Day 4.