On Day 2 of the first Test in Lahore, Senuran Muthusamy didn’t just take wickets—he shattered momentum. The 31-year-old South African left-arm spinner, operating on a dry, turning Gaddafi Stadium pitch, ripped through Pakistan’s batting lineup with a career-best 6 for 117, his maiden Test five-wicket haul. What made it unforgettable wasn’t just the numbers—it was the timing. With Pakistan cruising at 362/5 and threatening 450, Muthusamy triggered a collapse so sudden it felt like a power cut: five wickets for 16 runs in the space of 12 balls. The hosts were all out for 378, and suddenly, South Africa had a fighting chance.
The Turning Point: Three Wickets in Four Balls
It started with Mohammad Rizwan. The Pakistani captain’s 75-run knock, built with patience and two sixes, had anchored the innings after early wickets. But in the 102nd over, he edged a sharply turning delivery from Muthusamy to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. That was the spark. The next ball: Noman Ali, playing down the wrong line, bowled for a duck. The ball after that? Sajid Khan, caught at slip, also for nought. Three wickets. Four balls. The crowd fell silent. The pitch, already hungry for turn, had turned into a trap.
It didn’t stop there. Muthusamy returned to clean up Shaheen Shah Afridi for seven, completing his six-wicket haul. By the time Salman Ali Agha (93) fell to off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, Pakistan’s innings had gone from threatening to tattered. The last five wickets tumbled for just 16 runs. A position that looked like a 450+ declaration had become a 378 total—barely enough to feel safe on a pitch that was only getting worse.
From Day 1 to Day 2: A Tale of Missed Chances
South Africa had already blown chances. On Day 1, they dropped key catches as Pakistan reached 313/5. Muthusamy had taken two wickets then—Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel—in consecutive balls, but the damage was done. The visitors’ fielding let them down, and Pakistan’s middle order capitalized. But by lunch on Day 2, the narrative had flipped. Muthusamy, who had taken only 15 Test wickets before this match, became the fourth South African spinner to claim a five-wicket haul in Pakistan. His figures of 6/117 now stand as the best by a Proteas spinner in Asia since 2010.
His career stats tell the story: 17 wickets in six Tests at 29.29. This was his 16th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. He’s not a flashy name, but he’s a quiet assassin on turning tracks. His previous best? 4/45 against Bangladesh in Chattogram last year. This? A quantum leap.
What Happens Next? Batting on a Minefield
Now, South Africa walks out to bat on the same pitch. And it’s not just any pitch—it’s one that’s turned from a batting strip into a spinner’s playground. The cracks are widening. The bounce is uneven. The ball grips and spins like a top. IndiaTV News put it bluntly: South Africa must bat extremely well just to *match* Pakistan’s total. If they do, they’ll be in the driver’s seat. If they crumble? The home side, with Shan Masood leading, will smell blood.
Former South African captain Shaun Pollock, commentating live, made a rare gaffe—mistakenly calling Masood “the captain of India.” It was a slip, but it underscored how little global attention this series has gotten. That’s a shame. This is the first Test series between Pakistan and South Africa since 2013. The stakes are high. The pitch is brutal. And Muthusamy? He’s suddenly the man everyone’s watching.
The Bigger Picture: A Spark in a Quiet Career
Muthusamy’s rise is the kind of story that doesn’t make headlines until it does. He’s been a domestic stalwart for KwaZulu-Natal for over a decade, but Test selection came late. At 31, he’s no longer a prospect—he’s a performer. His performance in Lahore isn’t just a personal milestone; it’s a reminder that Test cricket still rewards patience, accuracy, and the ability to read a pitch.
Compare him to South Africa’s recent spinners: Keshav Maharaj has been the mainstay, but Muthusamy’s ability to extract turn from unresponsive surfaces could make him the X-factor in this series. With the second Test looming in Multan, where pitches are even drier, his role could be pivotal. South Africa’s batting, led by Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram, will need nerve. They’ve faced tough conditions before—in Sri Lanka, in India—but never like this, in a country where spin has historically dominated.
The Proteas Men Twitter account captured it perfectly: “A moment to remember for Senuran Muthusamy.” It wasn’t just a spell. It was a statement. On a day when Pakistan thought they’d won the battle, one spinner reminded them that Test cricket is never over until the last wicket falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the pitch conditions contribute to Muthusamy’s success?
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch, dry from the start and showing increasing turn by Day 2, offered ideal conditions for spin. The ball gripped sharply, bounced unevenly, and turned both ways. Muthusamy’s accuracy and subtle variations exploited the cracks, especially after the first session when the surface deteriorated. This was the same pitch where Pakistan’s middle order had dominated early—until the ball started behaving unpredictably, and his control proved decisive.
Why is Muthusamy’s performance significant for South African cricket?
South Africa has struggled to find consistent spin options outside Keshav Maharaj. Muthusamy’s 6-wicket haul is the first by a Proteas spinner in Pakistan since 2007 and only the fourth ever. At 31, he’s a late bloomer, but his figures (17 wickets in six Tests at 29.29) show he’s reliable under pressure. His success could force selectors to prioritize spin-friendly conditions in future tours, especially in Asia.
What impact does this collapse have on Pakistan’s chances in the series?
Losing five wickets for 16 runs after being 362/5 is a massive psychological blow. It suggests fragility in the lower order and vulnerability against spin under pressure. While Pakistan still leads on first innings, their inability to post 400+ on a home pitch raises questions. If South Africa bats well in reply, Pakistan may be forced to chase in the fourth innings—something they’ve struggled with in recent years on turning tracks.
How does this compare to other famous Test collapses in Pakistan?
It echoes the 2006 collapse against Australia in Karachi, where Pakistan lost 7 wickets for 37 runs after being 300/4. But Muthusamy’s spell is rarer: a single bowler taking three wickets in four balls to trigger a five-wicket collapse. Only a handful of such spells have occurred in Pakistan since 1990. This one stands out for its precision and timing—coming after a long partnership had lulled the crowd into complacency.
What’s next for Senuran Muthusamy?
He’s now a permanent fixture in South Africa’s Test plans, especially for overseas tours. His next challenge: batting on the same pitch. If he can contribute with the bat—something he’s done in domestic cricket—he could become a genuine all-rounder. With the second Test in Multan, where the pitch is even drier, he might be South Africa’s most dangerous weapon. His career is no longer a footnote—it’s a rising arc.
Why was this match so significant for South Africa’s tour of Pakistan?
This is South Africa’s first Test series in Pakistan since 2013, and only their third ever. The last time they toured, in 2007, they lost 2-0. A win here would be historic. Muthusamy’s spell has shifted momentum, giving South Africa a rare psychological edge. For a team that’s struggled in Asia, this performance could be the foundation of a breakthrough series—and a new chapter in their cricketing history.
