2nd Test Pakistan vs South Africa in Dubai: Smith, De Villiers produce record run feast on Day 2

Captain Graeme Smith hit an unbeaten double century as South Africa went on a merciless scoring spree to establish a 361-run lead over Pakistan on the second day of the second Test in Dubai on Thursday.

Smith was 227 not out and a cramping AB de Villiers scored an unbeaten 157 as the pair set a new South African fifth wicket partnership record of 326 to put the top-ranked team firmly in command.

Smith, recently recovered from ankle surgery and looking considerably leaner after a tough pre-tour fitness regime, batted for more than 10 hours, passed 9000 Test runs and notched his fifth double century in a dominant innings.

It is also the highest Test score this year.

He offered Pakistan only one chance late in the day when he looked to have been caught off Azhar Ali but even after a review it proved inconclusive and Smith batted on.

De Villiers was dropped first ball by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off Mohammad Irfan and went on to punish the Pakistan attack as he notched his 17th Test century despite suffering from cramps in the oppressive heat.

But he lived a much more charmed life, surviving a close run out call and another review when he looked trapped leg before by Saeed Ajmal straight after tea.

Just a single wicket fell on the second day as South Africa scored 332 runs in the three sessions, moving on considerably from their overnight tally of 128 for three.

Nightwatchman Dale Steyn was the only wicket to fall on Thursday, bowled by Irfan without offering a shot for seven in the first session before lunch.

South Africa now have the option of continuing to bat on the third day on Friday or declare early and put Pakistan in to bat for their second innings, after dismissing them for 99 in the first innings.

Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Abu Dhabi last week.

EVENING SESSION

Skipper Graeme Smith scored an unbeaten double century while AB de Villiers hit a fine 157 not out to put South Africa in a commanding position against Pakistan on the second day of the second Test at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

Smith remained unbeaten on 227 and shared an unbroken 326-run partnership with De Villiers, who got a reprieve of the very first ball he faced.

South Africa at stumps were 460 for four in 134 overs.

For Pakistan it was a frustrating day as they could just remove nightwatchman Dale Steyn early in the day.

Pakistan lose both their reviews. Misbah is not impressed at all. A catch Younus took was asked for review and it went against Pakistan. SA 452-4 in 131 overs.

De Villiers reaches 150 while Smith is batting on 219. SA 445-4 in 128 overs.

Nothing working out for Pakistan today. Lead swells to 334. SA 433-4 in 125 overs.

A double hundred and 9000 runs for Smith. Brilliant knock. SA 414-4 in 120 overs.

400 comes up for the Proteas. SA 402-4 in 116 overs.

The Proteas lead by 299 runs. SA 398-4 in 114 overs.

Partnership reaches 250. Smith closing in on his double. SA 385-4 in 111 overs.

It's really frustruating for Pakistan as Smith and Devilliers continue to score comfortably. SA 373-4 in 108 overs.

SA are 349-4 in 104 overs.

Players are back in the middle. It's been a long toil for Pakistan bowlers. Hoping for success this session.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Captain Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers extended South Africa's first innings lead over Pakistan to 238 at tea on the second day of the second Test in Dubai on Thursday with six wickets still standing.

At the interval, the world's top-ranked side were 337 for four with Smith on 165 and de Villiers, who was dropped first ball, on 100.

Resuming on 67 overnight after Pakistan were bowled out for 99 in their first innings, Smith reached his 27th Test century from 204 balls in a chanceless knock. He brought up his 150 half an hour before tea with three successive boundaries.

De Villiers reached his century with 13 fours and a six just before the interval, although he was hobbling about in his crease because of cramp in the oppressive heat.

Nightwatchman Dale Steyn was the only wicket to fall on Thursday, bowled by Mohammad Irfan without offering a shot for seven. De Villiers was dropped by keeper Adnan Akmal off the next ball.

Ifan's spell was the only time South Africa came under pressure. He hit Smith with some body blows and the pair exchanged cold stares and heated words

The towering left-armer received two official warnings for running on the pitch in his follow through and he will be suspended for the remainder of the innings if he offends again.

Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first test by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi last week.

Graeme Smith (165 not out) and AB de Villiers (100 not out) continued to dominate the proceedings as South Africa amassed 337 for 4 in 101 overs at Tea on Day 2 of the second Test.

The Proteas are leading by 238 runs.

A lovely cover drive to the fence and De Villiers gets his century. Great knock as tea is called. SA 337-4 in 101 overs.

After 100 overs South Africa are 332 for 4. They lead by 233.

Three boundaries in a row for Smith off Ajmal as he notches up his 150. SA 313-4 in 96 overs.

South Africa completely dominating the proceedings. They cross 300. SA 300-4 in 95 overs.

Smith on 138. SA are 294-4 in 93 overs.

Smooth sailing for the Proteas. SA 278-4 in 90 overs.

Lead extends to 172. SA 271-4 in 88 overs.

De Villiers gets a fine half century as he is getting his shots to perfection. 13 runs from a over of Mohammad Irfan. SA 259-4 in 85 overs.

The 100-run partnership comes up between Smith and De Villiers. SA 237-4 in 83 overs.

De Villiers reaches 37 as the new ball is taken. SA 220-4 in 80 overs.

Lead crosses 100 as Smith and Villiers look in great form. Pakistan will look to dominate the post-lunch session. SA 204-4 in 76 overs.

MORNING SESSION

South Africa captain Graeme Smith scored an unbeaten century as the tourists extended their lead over Pakistan to one run shy of 100 at lunch on the second day of the second Test in Dubai on Thursday.

The Proteas progressed steadily to 198 for four in their first innings, seeking to build a substantial advantage after dismissing Pakistan for just 99 on the first day on Wednesday.

Resuming on 67, Smith reached his 27th test century in 204 balls in a chanceless innings that marked a confidence-building return to form after undergoing ankle surgery just months ago.

Nightwatchman Dale Steyn was the only wicket to fall in the session, bowled by Mohammad Irfan without offering a shot for seven, and new batman AB de Villiers was dropped by keeper Adnan Akmal off the very next ball.

That spell was the only time South Africa came under pressure as De Villiers took advantage of the let off to go to lunch on 26 not out while his skipper reached the interval on 107.

Another concern for Pakistan is the two official warnings issued to leading paceman Irfan for stepping into the line of the stumps on his follow through. One more and he will not be allowed to bowl again in the innings.

Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first test by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi last week. The Tests are being played in the Gulf due to security concerns in Pakistan.

Great batting display from the skipper to remain unbeaten on 107 at Lunch as South Africa scored 198 for 4 in 75 overs. He also shared a unbroken 64-run stand with AB de Villiers (26) as the Proteas took a lead of 99 in the first innings.

A straight drive from Smith his second consecutive century at this venue. Fantastic knock from the skipper. SA 194-4 in 73 overs.

Partnership reaches 52 as Smith is on 96 and De Villiers on 25. Pakistan trying all options for another wicket. SA 186-4 in 70 overs.

Both de Villiers and Smith are taking on the Pakistan bowlers. Runs coming faster. SA 174-4 in 66 overs.

De Villiers cracks a boundary stepping out. Good positive batting from him. SA 157-4 in 63 overs.

South Africa looking for a partnership here. Runs coming pretty slowly. SA 148-4 in 60 overs.

It could have been two in a row, but Akmal drops a tough one behind the stumps giving De VIlliers a repieve. SA 134-4 in 56 overs.

Mohammad Irfan strikes.Steyn's stumps rattled. Pakistan was looking for that badly. SA 134-4 in 55.4 overs.

D Steyn b Mohammad Irfan 7 (39b 1x4 0x6)

Steyn still hanging on there. Proteas will look for a strong total today while Pakistan is battling hard for some early wickets. SA 134-3 in 55 overs.

Slow start from the Proteas. Skipper Smith taking his time. SA 129-3 in 52 overs.

Steyn,the night watchmam, takes strike. SA 128-3 in 49 overs.

Pakistan will aim to give South Africa a taste of their own medicine when play resumes on day two of the second Test at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

South Africa lost Alviro Petersen (26) early in their reply, before Saeed Ajmal claimed scalps of Dean Elgar (23) and Jacques Kallis (seven) as Pakistan tried to contain the world's top test team to a manageable first innings score after being skittled out for 99.

Skipper Graeme Smith is unbeaten on 67 and with him is Dale Steyn on three after Pakistan-born leg spinner Imran Tahir grabbed a maiden five-wicket haul to put them on top.

South Africa have not lost an away series since 2006 but trail 1-0 in the two-match series.

Pakistan will look to their spin duo of Saeed Ajmal and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar who shared 11 wickets between them to guide their team to a seven-wicket win in the first Test in Abu Dhabi, only their fourth win in 22 Tests against South Africa.

This is the 16th time that Pakistan were bowled out for below 100 in a Test innings and rekindled memories of how they fought back from a similar situation against England at this venue in 2012 and went onto win the Test in the end.

Pakistan have been floored but not out for the count yet and have the capacity to rebound despite facing a stiff task.

"We are not out of it yet, no question about that. We were up against it but need to really get back into the game tomorrow (Thursday) sooner than later. If we finally get to bat, hopefully at some point tomorrow, they really need to turn things around and resist," said Pakistan coach Dave Whatmore who admitted being frustrated at the disappointing performance by the batsmen.

"It was very frustrating, yes. We expected the opposition to come back strong at us. I don't think they did. We orchestrated most of the dismissals ourselves. That was a real disappointing thing," he said revealing that it was time to move on.

"We will certainly be having a little talk together. In order for us to move on, we need to get it off our chest and have a bit more understanding of the situation," he added at the post-match conference.

Tahir was delighted to back on the international stage after 11 months after the horror show against Australia in Adelaide when he took none for 260.

"Specially after my last performance, I had to go back and work on myself, my bowling and everything. Thinking how I'm going to cope with international cricket. The hard work in off season has paid off and I'm very grateful it happend here," he said.

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