SA vs PAK 2nd Test: Ryan Rickelton's Double Century Creates History

Making his debut as an opener in Test cricket, Ryan Rickelton became the first South African to score a double century in ICC World Test Championship.

The highlight of SA vs PAK 2nd Test so far has been debutant Ryan Rickelton's historic double century.

Source : @LionsCricketSA / X

Ryan Rickelton record in SA vs PAK 2nd Test: The second and final Test match between South Africa and Pakistan is underway in Cape Town, with South Africa firmly in control. The highlight of SA vs PAK 2nd Test so far has been debutant Ryan Rickelton's historic double century, which has not only propelled South Africa past 400 runs in the first innings but also etched his name in the record books.

Making his debut as an opener in Test cricket, Rickelton became first South African to score a double century in ICC World Test Championship.

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His incredible knock places him among an elite group of players who have scored double centuries in their first Test as an opener, making him only the fourth in cricket history to achieve this feat.

In the lost lunch session on Day 2 of SA vs PAK 2nd Test, Rickelton remains unbeaten on 250 after playing 337 balls.

Players with double centuries as debut openers in Tests:

Brendon Kuruppu (Sri Lanka) - vs New Zealand (Colombo, 1987)

Graeme Smith (South Africa) - vs Bangladesh (London, 2002)

Devon Conway (New Zealand) - vs England (London, 2021)

Ryan Rickelton (South Africa) - vs Pakistan (Cape Town, 2025)

Rickelton's innings also marked the first double century by a South African in Test cricket since 2016, when both Ben Stokes and Hashim Amla achieved the milestone.

Fastest double centuries for South Africa in Tests (by balls faced):

Herschelle Gibbs - 211 balls vs Pakistan (Cape Town, 2003)

Graeme Smith - 238 balls vs Bangladesh (Chittagong, 2008)

Gary Kirsten - 251 balls vs Zimbabwe (Harare, 2001)

Ryan Rickelton - 266 balls vs Pakistan (Cape Town, 2025)

Jacques Kallis - 267 balls vs India (Centurion, 2010)

South Africa displayed exceptional batting in the second Test against Pakistan, amassing an imposing first-innings total of 557 in 131 overs. The innings was anchored by Ryan Rickelton's remarkable unbeaten knock of over 250 runs.

With a victory in the first Test, South Africa secured a 1-0 series lead and confirmed their place in June's World Test Championship final.