CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Ryan Rickelton hit his first double hundred and Kyle Verreynne hit an aggressive half-century as World Test Championship finalists South Africa posted a total of 429 on the second day of the second and final Test against Pakistan on Saturday. 5 reached.

At lunch, Rickelton was unbeaten on 213 and Verreynne hit eight fours and four sixes in his 74 not out of 88 balls as they led South Africa to a strong first innings total by sharing the unbroken 106-run sixth wicket stand.

Mohammad Abbas (2-70) took the only wicket of the session when David Bedingham beat the seamer with the second new ball in Pakistan’s fourth over of the morning, giving wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan his fifth catch of the innings.

Pakistan had to beat Verreynne twice, who was unsuccessful on LBW television. Not only was he aggressive against the pace, but he also didn’t let Salman Ali Agha (2-77) settle down by sweeping the off-spinner backwards.

Rickelton, who continued on 176, quietly reached his double century in 265 balls when he tapped left-arm fast bowler Mir Hamza to cover for a single. Rickelton celebrated his highest first-class score by raising both arms to acknowledge his teammates’ applause. Rickelton’s confident 295-ball knock was peppered with 25 fours and a six.

Rickelton had laid a solid foundation for a strong South Africa total after sharing the 235-run stand with captain Temba Bavuma, who scored 106, leading the home team to 316-4 on the first day.

Pakistan’s four-pronged close attack lacked the pace to trouble the South African batsmen on the dry wicket after the visitors rested key fast bowler Naseem Shah for the second Test.

Verreynne hit Aamer Jamal hard just before lunch when he dragged the fast bowler over square leg for two consecutive sixes and then played an exquisite straight drive on the next ball to score a boundary.

South Africa had secured their place in the WTC final at Lord’s in June this year with a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Test at Centurion.

Pakistan have already suffered a major setback when in-form opener Saim Ayub was ruled out for the rest of the game with a broken right ankle after slipping awkwardly on the field on the first day.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Saturday that Ayub will not take part in competitive cricket for up to six weeks.

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AP Cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket