Markram achieves milestone in first Pakistan Test

South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram reached a major career milestone on Monday, surpassing 3,000 runs in Test runs during the opening five-day game against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The right-hander needed seven runs to complete the milestone. He brought it up early in his innings as South Africa began their reply to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378.

Markram reached the milestone in his 47th Test appearance, becoming the 18th South African batter to do so.

Since making his debut in 2017, Markram has been one of South Africa’s most consistent performers in the format, boasting eight centuries and 13 half-centuries to his name.

Former all-rounder Jacques Kallis remains the country’s all-time leading run-scorer with a staggering 13,206 runs in 165 Tests, the only South African to cross the 10,000-run mark.

He is followed by Hashim Amla (9,282 runs in 124 matches) and former skipper Graeme Smith (9,253 runs in 116 matches).

At the time of filing this report, South Africa were 122-2 as play resumed after tea, with Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi steady at the crease.

The visitors trail by 256 runs after bowling out Pakistan for 378 earlier in the day, courtesy of a superb six-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy.