Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Second Test: Pakistan Vs. South Africa (Update) - - Pakistan in Problem After Quick Three Wickets Loss Just After Lunch at Day 5

Pakistan were a solid 0-66 by lunch on the fifth and final day in the second Test after South Africa set a 354-run target for them at Abu Dhabi Stadium on Wednesday. But just at the time of writing these lines Pakistan lost their openers within a short span of time with the efforts of Paul Harris and Johan Botha. Paul Harris removed Muhammad Hafeez and Younis Khan in the 22nd over of Pakistan's second innings. Now Pakistan needs 286 runs with 7 wickets in hand. Azhar Ali playing on 2 and Captain Misbah-ul-Haq still to open the account. Again, , like 1st test in Dubai, now it comes to captain to save the match for Pakistan. Let's see Misbah would be up to the task once again or South Africa would life the thrid trophy of the trip after Twenty20 and ODI.

Openers Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Taufiq Umer (31) were unbeaten at the break as Pakistan needed another 288 runs in a minimum of 63 overs after South Africa declared their second innings at 5-203 in the morning.

Earlier, South Africa batted for just under half an hour on the fifth morning, a ploy to shut the opposition out of the match completely. South Africa had a lead of 323 runs overnight but were not content with their advantage. Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher were sent out with one mandate: add runs and add them quickly. 

Prince followed instructions, reverse-sweeping the first ball he faced for four, but Boucher was unable to follow suit. Umar Gul jagged one back in to Boucher, who inside-edged onto his stumps, to depart for 15. South Africa could have drawn the curtain on their innings there, but chose to send Johan Botha out. Four overs and four balls later, they decided they'd had enough. Thirty runs were added in six overs this morning before South Africa declared.

With the pitch still not posing any danger for the batsmen the match is likely to end in a stalemate, ending the two-Test series without a result after the first Test in Dubai ended in a draw last week.
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Both Hafeez and Umer hit four boundaries each as South Africa - led by Jacques Kallis after captain Graeme Smith injured his finger on Tuesday - used five bowlers but met with no success.

Resuming at 4-173, South Africa, looking for some quick runs, added 30 in as many minutes before they declared the innings, giving their attack 82 overs to force a result.

Paceman Umar Gul removed Mark Boucher (15) in the second over of the day to check South African progress.

Ashwell Prince remained unbeaten on 47, while Johan Botha finished with seven not out when the innings was declared.

Left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who hit a career-best 60 to save Pakistan from follow-on on Tuesday, finished with 3-81.

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