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29 March 2024

2nd Test Pakistan vs South Africa in Dubai, Day 3: Proteas on brink of series-levelling win

A South African player dives to catch the ball during the third day of the second Test cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa in Dubai on October 25, 2013. (AFP)

Published
By Cricket Correspondent with Agencies

Pakistan were staring at defeat in the second Test in the face after South Africa out-batted them and then bowled well on the third day in Dubai on Friday.

South Africa, seeking a series-levelling win, once again rocked Pakistan's top order with three early wickets after compiling a mammoth 517 in their first innings for a big 418-run lead at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

At the close, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq (42) and Asad Shafiq (28) were at the crease but they still need a whopping 286 runs to avoid an innings defeat or bat out two days to force a draw.

The duo have added 62 for the fifth wicket and would need a Herculean effort to avoid defeat.

But South Africa's bid for victory, and keeping their seven-year unbeaten away series record, was tainted when they were docked five penalty runs by the onfield umpires after television replays showed Faf du Plessis apparently trying to tamper with the ball in Pakistan's 31st over.

The two umpires, Rod Tucker of Australia and Ian Gould of England, called South African captain Graeme Smith for a warning, changed the ball and added five penalty runs to Pakistan's total.

Under International Cricket Council rules, if the umpires lay charges against any player match-referee David Boon will summon the player.

But even that South African setback couldn't save Pakistan as they continued to slump after finding themselves on two for two at lunch.

Dale Steyn gave South Africa an ideal start as he removed Shan Masood with the fourth ball of the innings, having him trapped in front of the wicket with a sharp delivery for nought.

It became two for two when Khurram Manzoor fell for his second duck of the match, caught off a miscued drive off Vernon Philander from the fifth ball of the second over.

Manzoor had made 146 in Pakistan's seven-wicket in last week's Abu Dhabi Test.

Azhar Ali and Younis added 46 for the third wicket before part-time spinner Jean-Paul Duminy struck with his first ball, trapping Ali lbw with a low delivery for 19.

Duminy could have taken Younis on 28 but Kallis failed to hold a low catch in the slips.

Younis was finally bowled for 38 by leg-spinner Imran Tahir off a strange shot, who took a career-best 5-32 to dismiss Pakistan for a paltry 99 in the first innings.

In the morning session, South Africa lost their last six wickets for the addition of 57 runs after resuming at 460-4. Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal finished with 5-161 while paceman Mohammad Irfan took 3-102.

De Villiers (164) was the first man to go, caught behind off Irfan in the fifth over of the day.

He hit 17 fours and a six during a commanding 376-minute innings and completed an all-time South African fifth wicket record partnership of 338 with Smith.

Smith was finally caught in the slip by Younis off Ajmal. Smith's superb knock lasted 10 hours and 32 minutes during which he dominated Pakistan's bowling, hitting 16 fours and faced 388 balls.

With Smith's catch, Younis beat Javed Miandad's record of most Test catches of 93. It took him 86 Tests, 38 fewer than his illustrious countryman.

Irfan removed Duminy for seven before he was forced out of attack by Australian umpire Rod Tucker for running into the danger zone after a second warning.

Ajmal then wrapped up the innings with the last three wickets to complete his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests.

EVENING SESSION

South Africa need another six wickets as Pakistan ended their second innings on Day three at 132 for four in 55 overs.

Misbah Ul-Haq (42 not out) and Asad Shaifq (28 not out) held the Pakistan innnings firm but still have two days to bat to avoid a big defeat as they trail by 286 runs.

As the day comes to an end, SA lose a review. Pakistan ensure they keep their remaining wickets intact as umpires take off the stumps. Pakistan 132-4 in 55 overs. They trail by 286 runs.

A fine partnership building here. Currently has reached 47. Pak 117-4 in 50 overs.

Pakistan trail by 319. With still a minimum of 12 overs to be bowled, Pakistan will look to see the day through without any further loss. Pak 99-4 in 45 overs.

Misbah playing some aggressive shots, while Tahir trying everything in his trick book to add few more to his tally. Pak 86-4 in 40 overs.

Imran Tahir is excited. And why not he picked the important Pakistan wicket of Younus Khan. Celebrations in the ground. Pak 70-4 in 34 overs.

Younus Khan b Imran Tahir 36 (102b 2x4 0x6)

Younus and Misbah will be looking for a big partnership coming from tea. Pak 62-3 in 30 overs.

AFTERNOON SESSION

South Africa will be happy with their performance going into tea. Pak 56-3 in 28 overs.

JP Duminy comes into bowl and succeeds in the very first ball. Traps Ali in front. Pak 48-3 in 25.1 overs.

Azhar Ali lbw b Duminy 19 (73b 2x4 0x6)

Younus reaches 24. He and Ali have been ensuring South Africa have no chance even after the introduction of Tahir. Pak 41-2 in 20 overs.

Partnership reaches 25 as Pakistan are 26-2 in 15 overs.

Smooth sailing for Pakistan. Not many runs being added but the duo ensuring no wickets are lost. Pak 16-2 in 10 overs.

Younus and Ali are adopting a very cautious approach. Pak 14-2 in 5 overs.

Azhar Ali and Younus Khan have a big task on hand. Pak 7-2 in 2 overs.

MORNING SESSION

South Africa pacemen Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander took a wicket apiece in the first two overs of Pakistan's second innings as the hosts' hopes of saving the second Test were dealt a double early blow in Dubai on Friday.

Trailing by a daunting 418 runs, Pakistan were soon in trouble when Steyn trapped Shan Masood leg before wicket with the fourth ball of the innings while Philander had Khurram Manzoor caught in the slips by Jacques Kallis seven balls later.

Both batsmen were removed without scoring as Pakistan went to lunch on two for two after dismissing South Africa for 517 late in the morning session of the third day.

Eight wickets fell in an extended session with South Africa adding 57 runs to their overnight total of 460-4 to establish a substantial lead after just one batsman was removed throughout the entire second day of the match.

Centurions Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers were dismissed quickly on a fast-drying pitch that offered plenty of turn, adding only 12 runs to their record-breaking fifth-wicket stand that put 338 runs on the total.

De Villiers (164) was caught behind off Mohammad Irfan and Smith (234) snapped up at first slip by Younus Khan as Saeed Ajmal swept through the batting, finishing with six wickets for 151 runs as a steady procession followed back to the pavilion.

Irfan was given a third warning by the umpires for stepping into the line of the stumps on his follow through and it meant he was suspended from bowling again in the innings but Ajmal's impact ensured he was hardly missed.

Pakistan will resume after lunch with Azhar Ali (2) and Younus (0) at the crease.

Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after a seven-wicket victory in Abu Dhabi last week but the home side, forced to play in the Gulf due to security concerns, face an almost impossible task to emerge victorious against the top-ranked test side.

Pakistan lost two quick wickets in their second innings after South Africa were all out for 517 in the first innings of the second Test in Dubai.

Saeed Ajmal finished with six wickets while Mohammad Irfan claimed three.

With a solid lead of 418, Proteas took charge early on as Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander accounted for a wicket each to put South Africa in the driver's seat.

It will now depend on Pakistan's experienced campaigners to ensure they don't suffer a humiliating loss.

What a catch from Kallis at the slips. Pakistan in real trouble here. They are 2-2 and lunch is called.

Khurram Manzoor c Kallis b Philander 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Steyn strikes in his first over. That's a beauty of a delivery. Pak 0-1 in 0.4 overs.

Shan Masood lbw b Steyn 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Lot of pressure on Pakistan openers. Steyn prepares to bowl and will look for an early wicket before going for lunch.

Saeed Ajmal took six wickets on Day three to ensure South Africa were all out for 517 at the Dubai International Stadium.

After a frustrating day for Pakistan on day two when both Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers controlled the proceedings, it was a good comeback for Pakistan on the third day of the second Test.

Smith was out on 234 while De Villiers departed scoring 164.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

Sixth wicket for Ajmal and Proteas finish at 517, a lead of 418 runs.

Imran Tahir c Misbah-ul-Haq b Saeed Ajmal 2 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Ajmal gets another but he has invited trouble from Umpire Gould. He had turned down a similar appeal the previous ball and this time Ajmal showed his anger getting Morkel caught at slips. This will go for discussion after the day's play. Ninth five-wicket haul for Ajmal in Tests. SA 515-9 161.2 overs.

M Morkel c Younis Khan b Saeed Ajmal 7 (18b 1x4 0x6)

Ajmal is getting a huge turn on this wicket as South Africa lose another. SA 505-8 in 156 overs.

V Philander b Saeed Ajmal 8 (27b 0x4 0x6)

Lead crosses 400 as Du Plessis and Philander are finding their feet. Pakistan would not want that as they look to wrap up SA innings before lunch. SA 505-7 in 155 overs.

Without Mohammad Ifran, who was barred from bowling for stepping into the danger area, Pakistan looking for other options to wrap up South Africa Innings at the earliest. SA 500-7 in 152 overs.

Irfan gets rewarded for his brilliant bowling. That's a beauty from JP Duminy's stumps are disturbed. SA 486-7 in 147 overs.

JP Duminy b Mohammad Irfan 7 (28b 0x4 0x6)

Irfan is bowling with a lot of purpose troubling the batsmen frequently. SA 482-6 in 145 overs.

Ajmal strikes as Pakistan taste another quick success. A great knock from skipper Smith comes to an end. SA 478-6 in 141.2 overs.

G Smith c Younis Khan b Saeed Ajmal 234 (388b 16x4 0x6)

Irfan is furious. That's another drop from Adnan Akmal. Pakistan cannot afford this. SA 478-5 in 141 overs. 

Success finally for Pakistan. Irfan the man to break the big partnership, this time Akmal makes no mistake behind the stumps. SA 472-5 in 138.3 overs.

AB de Villiers c Adnan Akmal b Mohammad Irfan 164 (274b 17x4 1x6)

Pakistan has a fast bowler and a spinner on both ends operating at the moment. No luck so far. SA 467-4 in 138 overs.

Smith and De Villiers prepared for another long day, as Pakistan will look for early success on Day 3. SA 462-4 in 135 overs.

There is unlikely to be any respite for Pakistan against rampant South Africa when play resumes on day three of the second Test in Dubai on Friday.

Graeme Smith led a South African run feast with an unbeaten double century to give them a 361-lead on the first innings.

An emotional Graeme Smith marked his return from an ankle injury with an unbeaten double century as South Africa went on a record-breaking run spree against Pakistan in Dubai on Thursday.

Smith marked his return from an ankle injury to smash 227 not out on the second day at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in difficult conditions.

He crossed 9000 Test runs and shared a South African record fifth-wicket stand of 326 with AB de Villiers (157 not out) to reach 460 for four in 134 overs in reply to Pakistan's meagre 99.

"We'll definitely bat the morning session tomorrow (Friday)," said the South African captain at the post-match conference when asked about whether he would declare.

"I need to think a little about it overnight. Ideally would like to bat once in this game. That would be goal number one. And also would like the wicket to deteriorate. It's a little bit dry," said Smith who was personally proud of his effort.

"I think Pakistan is a quality attack. To score a double hundred in sub continent conditions with the heat, for me is something to be proud of. Mohammed Irfan in particular bowled really well. To have a such a big partnership with AB (de Villiers) is a key moment in the game," said Smith.

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.

"It was a lot of hard work to get to this point, a lot of emotions came out of me. It was a grind," South African captain Smith said of his 10 hours at the crease, facing 367 balls in oppressive heat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

 



"The outfield was not quick and I seemed to get my runs to the long boundaries, which meant I had to keep running threes," he told SuperSport television.

"After five months off, I had one and a half innings (at bat) before the start of this test series and to stand here having scored a double hundred against a quality attack is a good feeling."

It was his fifth Test double ton.

"I haven't always been the most talented guy but I've found a way to score runs and I understand how to do it."

Looking significantly leaner after a tough recent fitness regime, Smith built on his overnight score 67 not out.

"Three months on crutches gives you ample time to put on weight, eat well and drink with your mates but once I started (training) the discipline kicked in and a lot of good people got me to where I am," he said of surgery in May on a persistent ankle problem.

"I was quite surprised I didn't cramp. I have had a problem with cramp throughout my career but the little whipper-snapper on the other end (De Villiers) cramped more than me, so I gave him a little bit of stick for that."

De Villiers was dropped off his first ball and capitalised on the let off by punishing the Pakistan bowlers.

"When AB came into bat it was a key moment in the game, anything could have happened, one or two wickets and we would have been under pressure without too much of a lead and having to bat last on this wicket.

"AB and myself are good friends and it was wonderful to spend time out there with him. Our rapport is good, we kept it nice and light but also really focused on the game plan. And batting with him, the intensity changes. He's got so many strokes, the ability to change the game so quickly and transfer pressure."