Well Done Pakistan – Pakistan vs. South Africa 1st Test Review

Going into the test series Pakistan was never a threat for the mighty South African team who are ranked number two in the world in this format. In limited overs cricket Pakistan’s unpredictability gives them a chance every time they enter the field of play. But test cricket of late has not been their cup of tea. The betting scam, absence of four key test players through various reasons and having a new captain made them look vulnerable and many thought test series will be a walkover for the Proteas.

South Africa won the toss at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and opted to bat first. In the third over Umar Gull produced a beauty of a leg-cutter which Alviro Petersen guided in the hands of debutant Adnan Akmal only to be denied by a deaf and dumb Darrell Harper. UDRS was not available thanks to the ineptness of PCB who could not manage to bring it for the series. An early wicket would have instilled belief in the new-look bowling attack. Smith was also lucky early on when Adnan Akmal showed shades of his elder brother Kamran Akmal by missing a stumping opportunity and later Azhar Ali made a mess of a run-out chance too. Both added 153 for the first wicket before Petersen was caught off Abdur Rehman by Younis Khan of a free-to-hit delivery. Graeme Smith departed soon after bringing up his 22nd century when he was caught at the deep midwicket boundary by Taufeeq Umar off Wahab Riaz. The inform Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis looked like taking the game away from Pakistan on the very first day before Amla nicked a benign Wahab delivery behind to give the debutant Akmal his first test victim. Wahab Riaz soon left the field limping and Kallis ended the day unbeaten and threatening. Proteas finished on 311 for the loss of just 3 wickets at stumps.

Second day began while things were looking ominous for Pakistan but Umar Gull with his spell of 3 for 15 in eight overs aided ably by the two spinners pegged the Proteas back. They collapsed to 380 all-out having lost their last 7 wickets off just 73 runs. Pakistan started brilliantly with Hafeez continuing the ODI style of his batting and Taufeeq Umar looking solid against Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. They put on 105 in no time and it seemed Pakistan would get a decent first innings lead. Just before the stumps Pakistan lost both openers but Younis and Azhar Ali made sure Pakistan ends the day on a high note at 144 for 2.

After competing bravely so far Pakistan needed to bat solidly on the third day. Having negotiated the early moisture safely they collapsed from 172 for 2 to 248 all-out. It was a familiar story for Pakistan who have imploded on so many occasions in the last two years that a collapse is not a shocker for them any more. Both Hafeez and Azhar made fifties and Morkel took a 5-for.  A lead of 132 meant that Pakistan was chasing South Africa for the rest of the match unless they got the opposition blown away in the second innings. South Africa started solidly again and after losing both openers with 72 on the board Kallis and Amla carried them safely into the 4^th day. South Africa ended the day with 139 for 2 with the lead already swelled up to 271.

On the 4^th day Pakistan needed to repeat the performance of the 2^nd day but South Africa ensured that they bat Pakistan out of the test match. With Wahab Riaz out of the match and series onus was again on Gull and spin duo of Ajmal and Abdur Rehman to produce goods. They failed and Kallis shared an authoritative 4^th wicket stand of 242 with Amla to give Pakistan a daunting target of 451 runs in just over four sessions. Amla remained unbeaten on 118 and Kallis on 135, his 36^th ton off just 218 deliveries with 8 fours and 4 sixes. Pakistani openers again started confidently but could not convert their starts into innings of some substance. Muhammad Hafeez was looking all set for a big one but was out-smarted by Dale Steyn for a well made 34 off 47 deliveries. Pakistan was 75 for 2 but Younis and Azhar again ensured they keep Pakistan afloat and fighting for another day.

South Africa began the final day with firm belief of an easy win. They knew that they needed to dislodge a couple of batsmen early in the morning to get the ball rolling for them. Every one was anticipating a victory for the Proteas as Pakistan’s batting has been their weakest link especially on the fourth innings. On average they lasted only 60-odd overs in their second innings of test matches in the last year or so. But Pakistan was to defy all odds this time. Younis and Azhar showed tremendous temperament and patience and put on a brave 82-run partnership despite having to survive a few blows on the body. Azhar was undone by a beautiful leg-spinner from Paul Harris and departed after a spirited 63 with 7 fours. Misbah joined Younis Khan and was put under pressure immediately by the Proteas captain with fielders surrounding him all around. He was under pressure not only as captain but as a batsman too after failing in the first innings. His failure here would have jolted Pakistan big time before the next test. But he showed his prowess against the spinners and his experience helped him putting up a fight and a match-saving stand with Younis khan who was going smoothly at the other end. Both survived initial chances spilled by the Proteas fielders. Younis again was dropped by Kallis in slips though it was a difficult chance. They mixed defense with controlled aggression brilliantly. At one point it seemed they were threatening to go for a win but the target was too big and the confidence was still so shaken by the recent history that they decided wisely to bat out the day.  Younis was at his fluent best specially against Botha whom he dispatched for all of his four sixes. Misbah also went after Botha for consecutive fours and then a six to remind him of the fact that he is still far from being a test-class spinner. Younis khan celebrated his comeback by completing his 17^th hundred with a huge six and a banner in the crowd read, “shame on you Ijaz Butt and PCB”. Younis remained unbeaten on 131 and Misbah on 76 when both captains decided to end the match.

Would the decision-makers in Pakistan cricket pay heed to the message Younis khan has written on the wall for them by showing them the mirror by his superlative comeback? Will this match bring the confidence back and the team regroups for a better future? Will the consistency return? One hopes the answers of these questions are in affirmative and a change in fortunes is imminent. By playing defiant match-saving knocks both Misbah and Younis have rekindled the hopes of a cricket-crazy nation once again. So the next test match may well turn out to be an important mile-stone in this regard. Lets wait and see and be optimistic.