Pakistan vs. South Africa – Second Test Match Review
After drawing the first test bravely Pakistan came into the second and last test match of the series with an expectation of winning rather than just competing with South Africa. A win here would have meant first series triumph since 2006 and more significantly would have put back the bitter memories of recent controversies including the match-fixing saga.
Day 1
Pakistan won the toss and contrary to the general perception about the pitch put the Proteas in to bat. Misbah’s decision was a gamble based on the fact that pitch had enough juice to help the seamers early on. Pakistan went into the match with an extra seamer dropping Saeed Ajmal for Muhammad Sami. It was his 13th comeback having taken only 84 wickets in as many as 35 matches at 50.73 per wicket. Tanvir Ahmed after warming the bench for six months was at last given an opportunity to prove he can replicate his first-class form into the international arena at the age of 32 years. Once tipped as the next big thing Umar Akmal was dropped for his lack of form and temperament in favor of another debutant Asad Shafiq. South Africa made no changes.
Umar Gul started well and got an edge in the very first over off Graeme Smith which landed short of first slip. Debutant Tanvir shared the new ball and he was to make history soon. His 3rd delivery gave him his 1st test wicket when Petersen edged one to Misbah at first slip. His gesture was as if he was suggesting something to someone. One wonders to whom but he had become 6th bowler for Pakistan to take a wicket in his first over on debut. This was interestingly his 400th first-class wicket too. Next over he made a world record when on his 8th delivery he got Hashim Amla caught behind to take two wickets in his first two overs of test cricket. Amla clearly had missed the ball as the edge came off the thigh pad. Bad umpiring continued from the fist test and it was not the first howler of the day either. Two plumb LBWs and a clear nick evaded Umpires’ eyes and ears and reminded every one how badly UDRS was being missed.
Tanvir soon jumped in joy again in his sixth over as he got one to nip away from an extra careful Smith taking the edge and giving Tanvir his third wicket. What a start to the career for Tanvir! But that was it for Pakistan for almost the rest of the day as Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers launched a counter attack aided by ineffectiveness of Sami and flatness of the pitch as the early morning moisture dried away. Kallis was uncharacteristically scoring fast as de Villiers took time to settle. Kallis hit Abdur Rehman for two sixes either side of the lunch break and raced to his fifty in just 58 balls. After surviving a plumb LBW shout from Sami he continued in the same vein to complete his 37th hundred off 135 balls. He looked all set to go on and break his double century jinx this time. But Tanvir returned and got him played-on off a beauty that nipped back sharply from short of a length. Ashwell Prince joined de Villiers who was going briskly at the other end. De Villiers made his 11th century and was looking hungry for more. Despite the loss of Prince to a half-tracker from Hafeez South Africa continued to dominate Pakistan. Things were looking not too good for Pakistan at 311 for 5 at stumps on first day.
Day 2
Pakistan started the second day in a hope to get the remaining five wickets cheaply especially in unexpected overcast conditions early on. Half an hour passed safely before Boucher was castled by an Imranesque in-dipper from Tanvir which moved and seamed in so sharply that he was left completely bamboozled. At 341 for 6 Pakistan had a chance to wrap up the tail but AB de Villiers was determined to not give Pakistan a taste of this batting paradise before burying them under a truck load of runs. Adnan Akmal made a mess of a chance offered by Botha off Sami who for a change was looking the most threatening of the bowlers on second day. With the tail de Villiers upped the tempo and raced towards his second double hundred. Botha, Steyn and Harris made solid contributions from the other end which helped de Villiers play fearlessly.
At 477 for 9 he started playing as if power-play was on and for the last wicket with Morne Morkel added 107 runs in 13.4 overs. This is the new 10th wicket partnership record for South Africa in tests. After getting past his highest individual score of 217 he took 17 runs off an Abdur Rehman over with two huge sixes. He gave a difficult chance on 248 at deep midwicket but raced to become the highest individual scorer for South African in tests surpassing his captain Graeme Smith’s 277. Amid applause and expectations of a triple century Smith declared the innings at 584 for 9. de Villiers remained not out on a glorious 278 and Morkel on quick-fire 35. He left the field happily acknowledging that his captain wanted to have a go at the opposition in the dusk under tremendous psychological pressure. Imagine Tendulkar being deprived of a triple when 25 overs are still to play in the day! A huge controversy off-course would have resulted ensuring MS Dhoni was to be cursed for the rest of his life just like Imran Khan who had once declared when Javed Miandad was on 280. For Pakistan Tanvir took 6 for 120 the second best figures for a Pakistani bowler on debut.
Pakistan needed to bat normally without looking at the task ahead but lost a wicket in the very first over. Hafeez played across a Steyn delivery and umpire ‘unfortunately’ for Pakistan upheld the LBW shout. Azhar Ali joined Taufeeq Umar and looked set from the word go. He played more freely in this innings hitting a few good boundaries. One of his drives though cover was a treat to watch. Both ended the day without further damage with him being on 34 and Taufeeq on 16. At 59 for one Pakistan was looking at a mountain to climb come the third day probably the defining day of the match.
Day 3
Third day was predictably the best day for batting and both overnight batsmen ensured that with sticky batting display. South Africa tried every thing to dislodge them but to no avail. Even Johan Botha reverted to his early state days by bowling seam up for his first spell. Azhar Ali cracked two delightful pull shots off Steyn when he tried to intimidate him too much. At 64 he gave a tough chance to de Villiers at backward short leg off Paul Harris who was given more overs today keeping in view the weakness of Pakistani batsmen against left arm spin. The pair had added 119 when Taufeeq holed out to Amla off Kallis mistiming a pull shot for a patient 43. Younis Khan joined Azhar and played safely till lunch. Younis however fell to Steyn as he tried another away from the body cover drive off a tempting off-side delivery one too many. Azhar Ali trying to repeat the same shot gave a loopy catch to Smith who gleefully accepted it in Steyn’s next over. Two quick and vital wickets suddenly opened the door for South Africa. Azhar made enterprising 90, his second nervous nineties dismissal.
Debutant Asad Shafiq and captain Misbah had a huge task ahead. They still needed 197 to avoid follow on. Misbah as usual started sedately but Asad played as if it was another match in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. He looked so assured at the crease especially against spin that Pakistan’s middle order problems seemed to have solved for the near future. A cracking cover drive by Asad off Morkel brought the 100 partnership and smiles in Pakistani camp. Asad was looking all set for a debut hundred barring a mistake. And he fell on 61 by making a mistake of playing a Harris delivery on front foot rather than waiting on it. He was snapped by Kallis in slips. Now the onus was solely on Misbah to save the follow-on for Pakistan by playing with the tail sensibly. Adnan Akmal probably playing his last test did not last long and perished after making 17. By the close Pakistan was on 317 for six with Misbah on 77 and Abdur Rehman yet to score. If Pakistan somehow could avert the follow-on the next day we would surely hope of carving out a draw from them.
Day 4
The penultimate day started dramatically. Misbah who looked so assured the previous day was hit plumb in front on the back pad on the very first ball from Dale Steyn. Suddenly it looked like Pakistan would collapse and South Africa would force the follow-on. But Pakistan found a far-fetched hero in Abdur Rehman who riding on luck stayed long enough to take Pakistan to a position of relative safety. Initially playing waiting game he put on a 36 runs crucial stand with enterprising Umar Gul. Then came the partnership which took Pakistan past the follow-on mark and then past 400 for the first time this year. With Tanvir he put on 59 runs in 18 overs. Tanvir fell soon after lunch having contributed significantly with the bat after grabbing a 6-for on debut. Abdur Rehman took Morkel on for three consecutive boundaries and in the process brought up his maiden test fifty. A valuable knock indeed. Pakistan was all out for 434, exactly 150 runs behind South Africa.
The Proteas had lost one opportunity to dent Pakistan but still they had other options. One was to play aggressively and declare before close of play to have a go at Pakistan for a few overs. And they started aggressively with Amla and Petersen. Graeme Smith had fractured his third metatarsal bone in his left hand and was not able to play. Both put on 81 runs in 15 overs before Petersen fell to the trap laid by Abdur Rehman giving a catch towards packed off side field. Expectedly de Villiers was promoted to continue in the same belligerent mode. At 113 Amla was comprehensively bowled by a classic left arm bowler’s delivery by the same bowler and he went shaking his head while the bowler was all joy. They slowed down considerably thereafter and reached 173 for 4 at close losing de Villiers to Abdur Rehman and Kallis to Hafeez in the process. With the lead at 323 the question for Smith was when to declare. In all possibility they would bat for some overs tomorrow but a great team would have declared by then as the ball had started turning and keeping low as well.
Day 5
Final day meant a lot for both teams. Pakistan had to show the world their dogged effort to save the previous match was not an aberration but a sign of rebirth as far as test cricket is concerned. On the other hand reputation was at stake for the Proteas. Despite playing on a docile track they were expected to win the series easily. Fearing that Pakistan may try to chase riding on someone’s individual brilliance they opted to continue batting towards safety before declaring. Umar Gul had Boucher played on in the second over to claim his first victim of the match. They declared after setting a target of 354 off 82 overs to Pakistan for an improbable win.
Pakistan openers started solidly and got to the lunch break safely and a draw seemed likely barring a collapse, a Pakistan specialty of late. Soon after lunch South Africa chose to go with twin spin attack and immediately got the reward. Pakistan lost three quick wickets on the same pre-lunch score of 66 including that of the man of crisis Younis Khan. Shivers ran down the spine of Pakistan camp and in came Misbah under pressure second game running to become the savior again. Along with dependable Azhar Ali he put his head down for the next 45 overs and sailed his team to safety. They answered every question asked by the Proteas bowlers and negated all tactics of their stand-in captain Jacques Kallis. Vultures around the bat, pleasantries from Steyn’s front and an occasional slip in concentration did not distract them from their job. Morkel induced an edge off Azhar’s bat which flew between Boucher and first slip but there were no drop catches this time from South Africa. When the mandatory overs started steam had evaporated from their bowlers and fielders were mentally and physically worn-out. Kallis offered, Misbah obliged and umpires called the match off. Pakistani players left the field heads high while South Africans might well have been still pondering about their spinners’ future and the pointless batting display of the last evening. Misbah made 58 his third consecutive fifty of the series and Azhar a patient 28 off 135 balls. Misbah had certainly redeemed himself. Kallis was named man of the match.
The match and the series ended in a tame draw leaving cricket pundits wondering what more needs to be done to make test cricket more purposeful, attractive and result-oriented. Sporting pitches, UDRS and colored clothing are a few points to look into. All in all it proved to be a successful series for Pakistan with renewed ambition and hope for a better test future and unearthing of two talented cricketers in Asad Shafiq and Tanvir Ahmed.
Day 1
Pakistan won the toss and contrary to the general perception about the pitch put the Proteas in to bat. Misbah’s decision was a gamble based on the fact that pitch had enough juice to help the seamers early on. Pakistan went into the match with an extra seamer dropping Saeed Ajmal for Muhammad Sami. It was his 13th comeback having taken only 84 wickets in as many as 35 matches at 50.73 per wicket. Tanvir Ahmed after warming the bench for six months was at last given an opportunity to prove he can replicate his first-class form into the international arena at the age of 32 years. Once tipped as the next big thing Umar Akmal was dropped for his lack of form and temperament in favor of another debutant Asad Shafiq. South Africa made no changes.
Umar Gul started well and got an edge in the very first over off Graeme Smith which landed short of first slip. Debutant Tanvir shared the new ball and he was to make history soon. His 3rd delivery gave him his 1st test wicket when Petersen edged one to Misbah at first slip. His gesture was as if he was suggesting something to someone. One wonders to whom but he had become 6th bowler for Pakistan to take a wicket in his first over on debut. This was interestingly his 400th first-class wicket too. Next over he made a world record when on his 8th delivery he got Hashim Amla caught behind to take two wickets in his first two overs of test cricket. Amla clearly had missed the ball as the edge came off the thigh pad. Bad umpiring continued from the fist test and it was not the first howler of the day either. Two plumb LBWs and a clear nick evaded Umpires’ eyes and ears and reminded every one how badly UDRS was being missed.
Tanvir soon jumped in joy again in his sixth over as he got one to nip away from an extra careful Smith taking the edge and giving Tanvir his third wicket. What a start to the career for Tanvir! But that was it for Pakistan for almost the rest of the day as Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers launched a counter attack aided by ineffectiveness of Sami and flatness of the pitch as the early morning moisture dried away. Kallis was uncharacteristically scoring fast as de Villiers took time to settle. Kallis hit Abdur Rehman for two sixes either side of the lunch break and raced to his fifty in just 58 balls. After surviving a plumb LBW shout from Sami he continued in the same vein to complete his 37th hundred off 135 balls. He looked all set to go on and break his double century jinx this time. But Tanvir returned and got him played-on off a beauty that nipped back sharply from short of a length. Ashwell Prince joined de Villiers who was going briskly at the other end. De Villiers made his 11th century and was looking hungry for more. Despite the loss of Prince to a half-tracker from Hafeez South Africa continued to dominate Pakistan. Things were looking not too good for Pakistan at 311 for 5 at stumps on first day.
Day 2
Pakistan started the second day in a hope to get the remaining five wickets cheaply especially in unexpected overcast conditions early on. Half an hour passed safely before Boucher was castled by an Imranesque in-dipper from Tanvir which moved and seamed in so sharply that he was left completely bamboozled. At 341 for 6 Pakistan had a chance to wrap up the tail but AB de Villiers was determined to not give Pakistan a taste of this batting paradise before burying them under a truck load of runs. Adnan Akmal made a mess of a chance offered by Botha off Sami who for a change was looking the most threatening of the bowlers on second day. With the tail de Villiers upped the tempo and raced towards his second double hundred. Botha, Steyn and Harris made solid contributions from the other end which helped de Villiers play fearlessly.
At 477 for 9 he started playing as if power-play was on and for the last wicket with Morne Morkel added 107 runs in 13.4 overs. This is the new 10th wicket partnership record for South Africa in tests. After getting past his highest individual score of 217 he took 17 runs off an Abdur Rehman over with two huge sixes. He gave a difficult chance on 248 at deep midwicket but raced to become the highest individual scorer for South African in tests surpassing his captain Graeme Smith’s 277. Amid applause and expectations of a triple century Smith declared the innings at 584 for 9. de Villiers remained not out on a glorious 278 and Morkel on quick-fire 35. He left the field happily acknowledging that his captain wanted to have a go at the opposition in the dusk under tremendous psychological pressure. Imagine Tendulkar being deprived of a triple when 25 overs are still to play in the day! A huge controversy off-course would have resulted ensuring MS Dhoni was to be cursed for the rest of his life just like Imran Khan who had once declared when Javed Miandad was on 280. For Pakistan Tanvir took 6 for 120 the second best figures for a Pakistani bowler on debut.
Pakistan needed to bat normally without looking at the task ahead but lost a wicket in the very first over. Hafeez played across a Steyn delivery and umpire ‘unfortunately’ for Pakistan upheld the LBW shout. Azhar Ali joined Taufeeq Umar and looked set from the word go. He played more freely in this innings hitting a few good boundaries. One of his drives though cover was a treat to watch. Both ended the day without further damage with him being on 34 and Taufeeq on 16. At 59 for one Pakistan was looking at a mountain to climb come the third day probably the defining day of the match.
Day 3
Third day was predictably the best day for batting and both overnight batsmen ensured that with sticky batting display. South Africa tried every thing to dislodge them but to no avail. Even Johan Botha reverted to his early state days by bowling seam up for his first spell. Azhar Ali cracked two delightful pull shots off Steyn when he tried to intimidate him too much. At 64 he gave a tough chance to de Villiers at backward short leg off Paul Harris who was given more overs today keeping in view the weakness of Pakistani batsmen against left arm spin. The pair had added 119 when Taufeeq holed out to Amla off Kallis mistiming a pull shot for a patient 43. Younis Khan joined Azhar and played safely till lunch. Younis however fell to Steyn as he tried another away from the body cover drive off a tempting off-side delivery one too many. Azhar Ali trying to repeat the same shot gave a loopy catch to Smith who gleefully accepted it in Steyn’s next over. Two quick and vital wickets suddenly opened the door for South Africa. Azhar made enterprising 90, his second nervous nineties dismissal.
Debutant Asad Shafiq and captain Misbah had a huge task ahead. They still needed 197 to avoid follow on. Misbah as usual started sedately but Asad played as if it was another match in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. He looked so assured at the crease especially against spin that Pakistan’s middle order problems seemed to have solved for the near future. A cracking cover drive by Asad off Morkel brought the 100 partnership and smiles in Pakistani camp. Asad was looking all set for a debut hundred barring a mistake. And he fell on 61 by making a mistake of playing a Harris delivery on front foot rather than waiting on it. He was snapped by Kallis in slips. Now the onus was solely on Misbah to save the follow-on for Pakistan by playing with the tail sensibly. Adnan Akmal probably playing his last test did not last long and perished after making 17. By the close Pakistan was on 317 for six with Misbah on 77 and Abdur Rehman yet to score. If Pakistan somehow could avert the follow-on the next day we would surely hope of carving out a draw from them.
Day 4
The penultimate day started dramatically. Misbah who looked so assured the previous day was hit plumb in front on the back pad on the very first ball from Dale Steyn. Suddenly it looked like Pakistan would collapse and South Africa would force the follow-on. But Pakistan found a far-fetched hero in Abdur Rehman who riding on luck stayed long enough to take Pakistan to a position of relative safety. Initially playing waiting game he put on a 36 runs crucial stand with enterprising Umar Gul. Then came the partnership which took Pakistan past the follow-on mark and then past 400 for the first time this year. With Tanvir he put on 59 runs in 18 overs. Tanvir fell soon after lunch having contributed significantly with the bat after grabbing a 6-for on debut. Abdur Rehman took Morkel on for three consecutive boundaries and in the process brought up his maiden test fifty. A valuable knock indeed. Pakistan was all out for 434, exactly 150 runs behind South Africa.
The Proteas had lost one opportunity to dent Pakistan but still they had other options. One was to play aggressively and declare before close of play to have a go at Pakistan for a few overs. And they started aggressively with Amla and Petersen. Graeme Smith had fractured his third metatarsal bone in his left hand and was not able to play. Both put on 81 runs in 15 overs before Petersen fell to the trap laid by Abdur Rehman giving a catch towards packed off side field. Expectedly de Villiers was promoted to continue in the same belligerent mode. At 113 Amla was comprehensively bowled by a classic left arm bowler’s delivery by the same bowler and he went shaking his head while the bowler was all joy. They slowed down considerably thereafter and reached 173 for 4 at close losing de Villiers to Abdur Rehman and Kallis to Hafeez in the process. With the lead at 323 the question for Smith was when to declare. In all possibility they would bat for some overs tomorrow but a great team would have declared by then as the ball had started turning and keeping low as well.
Day 5
Final day meant a lot for both teams. Pakistan had to show the world their dogged effort to save the previous match was not an aberration but a sign of rebirth as far as test cricket is concerned. On the other hand reputation was at stake for the Proteas. Despite playing on a docile track they were expected to win the series easily. Fearing that Pakistan may try to chase riding on someone’s individual brilliance they opted to continue batting towards safety before declaring. Umar Gul had Boucher played on in the second over to claim his first victim of the match. They declared after setting a target of 354 off 82 overs to Pakistan for an improbable win.
Pakistan openers started solidly and got to the lunch break safely and a draw seemed likely barring a collapse, a Pakistan specialty of late. Soon after lunch South Africa chose to go with twin spin attack and immediately got the reward. Pakistan lost three quick wickets on the same pre-lunch score of 66 including that of the man of crisis Younis Khan. Shivers ran down the spine of Pakistan camp and in came Misbah under pressure second game running to become the savior again. Along with dependable Azhar Ali he put his head down for the next 45 overs and sailed his team to safety. They answered every question asked by the Proteas bowlers and negated all tactics of their stand-in captain Jacques Kallis. Vultures around the bat, pleasantries from Steyn’s front and an occasional slip in concentration did not distract them from their job. Morkel induced an edge off Azhar’s bat which flew between Boucher and first slip but there were no drop catches this time from South Africa. When the mandatory overs started steam had evaporated from their bowlers and fielders were mentally and physically worn-out. Kallis offered, Misbah obliged and umpires called the match off. Pakistani players left the field heads high while South Africans might well have been still pondering about their spinners’ future and the pointless batting display of the last evening. Misbah made 58 his third consecutive fifty of the series and Azhar a patient 28 off 135 balls. Misbah had certainly redeemed himself. Kallis was named man of the match.
The match and the series ended in a tame draw leaving cricket pundits wondering what more needs to be done to make test cricket more purposeful, attractive and result-oriented. Sporting pitches, UDRS and colored clothing are a few points to look into. All in all it proved to be a successful series for Pakistan with renewed ambition and hope for a better test future and unearthing of two talented cricketers in Asad Shafiq and Tanvir Ahmed.
Published in SportPulse.net
ReplyDelete- http://www.sportpulse.net/article/gratifying-draw-pakistan