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RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Oct 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Skipper Aiden Markram says 
lessons learnt from the spin-dominated drawn Test series in Pakistan will put 
South Africa in good stead for their tour of India next month.

South Africa gave Pakistan a taste of their own spin medicine with a clinical 
eight-wicket drubbing in the second Test in Rawalpindi on Thursday, levelling 
the two-match series 1-1.

The victory gives South Africa an ideal start to the defence of the World 
Test Championship title they won in June.

Markram, standing in for injured skipper Temba Bavuma, praised his team's 
fightback.

"After the first Test we were put under pressure and the guys have put their 
hands up and excelled," said Markram.

South Africa took a good 71-run lead in the first innings of the second Test 
before Simon Harmer took a career-best 6-50 to bowl Pakistan out for a paltry 
138 on Thursday.

The visitors knocked off the winning 68-run target for the loss of two 
wickets on day four.

"We have taken a lot of confidence from this win and we are in a great space 
to be in as a team, but we are still a work in progress in these conditions 
as we now head to India."

South Africa play the first of two Tests against India in Kolkata from 
November 14.

Markram said his spin quartet was up to the challenge.

"The unit out here had quality spinners," said Markram of Keshav Maharaj, 
Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen -- who between them 
took 35 of the 40 wickets in the series.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood rued his side's batting in the series.

"There is a lot to work on," said Masood who has now lost ten of the 14 Test 
as skipper.

"The lower order batting, finishing the innings of the opposition, and our 
third innings batting are not perfect."

He also defended Pakistan's use of spin tracks in home series.

"It has been four wins out of six for us with this plan," said Masood of the 
last six Tests at home, adding: "The wickets have got a little better, they 
are battable now."

The two teams will now play a three-match Twenty20 series starting in 
Rawalpindi from Tuesday.