Shan Masood breaks 30-year-old record with Test ton against South Africa

Shan Masood became the first Pakistan captain to score a Test century in South Africa as he smashed 145 against the hosts on January 6 (Tuesday) during the second Test of the two-match series at Capetown. Before Masood, the highest score by a Pakistan skipper in South Africa was 99 by Saleem Malik, which he put up in 1995. 

After being steamrolled for 194 in their first innings in response to South Africa’s 615, the Pakistan captain was determined to make amends in the second. He put up 205 for the first wicket with Babar Azam, the highest partnership for the first wicket against South Africa by Pakistani openers. 

Though Babar got out for 81, Masood went on to post the highest score by a Pakistan opener ever and the joint second-highest score by any opener against South Africa in the last 19 years. 

Thanks to the skipper's efforts, Pakistan managed to put themselves in a good position despite following on and were 398/5 at Tea on Day 4, trailing by just 23 runs. 

Highest Test scores by a Pakistan captain in South Africa 

145 - Shan Masood in Cape Town, 2025

99 - Saleem Malik in Johannesburg, 1995

92* - Inzamam-ul-Haq in Gqeberha, 2007

Pakistan openers to score a century in South Africa in Tests

145 - Shan Masood in Cape Town, 2025

135 - Taufeeq Umar in Cape Town, 2003

118 - Saeed Anwar in Durban, 1998

Highest scores by an opposition opener in South Africa (since 2006)

160 - Phil Hughes in Durban, 2009

145 - David Warner in Cape Town, 2014

145 - Shan Masood in Cape Town, 2025