Rabada's batting heroics put Proteas in pole position

DEFENDING a world championship title belt is often harder than having earned it.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

This is something the Proteas were acutely aware of when they saw their World Test Championship schedule for the next two years with three tours to the subcontinent included, starting with this ongoing series in Pakistan.

There were going to be moments where their skill and character would be put to the ultimate test, and how they stood up from the canvas would be a defining factor. It would require their most senior players to lead the way when the furnace heated up.

Enter Kagiso Rabada. But not with the ball as is customary, but rather through his flaying willow which helped the Proteas turn this second Test on its head with the visitors now holding the aces with two days still remaining.

Rabada, who had also played a memorable innings against Pakistan last year at Centurion to secure the Proteas' place in the WTC Final, went one better with a career-best 71. Not only was it Rabada's maiden Test half-century, but it was also the highest-ever score by a Proteas No 11.