Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has shattered an all-time Pakistan record during the second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town.
Masood and Babar Azam led Pakistan’s fightback after the Proteas enforced a follow-on in the first innings of the Newlands Test. The visitors were bowled out cheaply for 194 in reply to South Africa’s daunting first-innings score of 615.
After being handed a 421 trail in the follow-on Masood and Babar notched up a record 205-run stand for the opening wicket before Babar was dismissed for 81. Masood carried on. He became the first Pakistani captain to score a hundred in South Africa before getting dismissed for 145.
Meanwhile, Masood has shattered another all-time Pakistan record. His 145 is now the highest score by a Pakistani cricketer in South Africa in Test cricket. Masood has shattered the record previously held by Azhar Mahmood, who had scored 136 in a Test against the Proteas in the Johannesburg Test in 1998.
Highest Test score a Pakistan player in South Africa:
1 – Shan Masood: 145 in South Africa in 2025
2 – Azhar Mahmood: 136 in South Africa in 1998
3 – Taufeeq Umar: 135 in South Africa in 2003
4 – Saeed Anwar: 118 in South Africa in 1998
5 – Asad Shafiq: 111 in South Africa in 2013
Masood misses Sachin’s historic feat
Meanwhile, Masood has missed out on a historic feat of Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Former Indian batter Sachin holds the record for the highest score by an Asian captain in South Africa – 169. Masood could have broken that record too had Kwena Maphaka not trapped him LBW.
Highest score by an Asian captain in South Africa:
1 – Sachin Tendulkar: 169 in South Africa in 1997
2 – Virat Kohli: 153 in South Africa in 2018
3 – Shan Masood: 145 in South Africa in 2025
4 – Dimuth Karunaratne: 103 in South Africa in 2021
5 – Saleem Malik: 99 in South Africa in 1995
South Africa had made 615 after opting to bat first. Ryan Rickelton slammed 259, while Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne made 106 and 100, respectively.
