Olivier, Markram power SA ahead on Day One vs Pakistan
CAPE TOWN: Duanne Olivier led another fast bowling assault on Pakistan’s batsmen as South Africa took control on the first day of the second Test at Newlands on Thursday.
Olivier took four for 48 as Pakistan were bowled out for 177 after being sent in on a hard, green-tinged pitch.
Aiden Markram struck an assured 78 as South Africa reached 123 for two at close.
Olivier followed up a matchwinning performance in the first Test in Centurion, while Dale Steyn took three for 48.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed hit 56 and Shan Masood made 44 to lift an otherwise poor Pakistan batting performance.
South Africa’s decision to pick an all-pace attack paid dividends with all four fast bowlers picking up wickets, with most of the Pakistan batsmen looking vulnerable against fast, short-pitched deliveries.
As at Centurion, where he had match figures of 11 for 96, Olivier lived up to the “enforcer” tag given him by captain Faf du Plessis, regularly landing the ball in his own half of the pitch and making it rear up towards the batsmen.
Unlike Centurion, the pitch itself was not a major factor in Pakistan’s collapse.
BRIEF SCORES: Pakistan 177 all out in 51.1 overs (S Masood 44, S Ahmed 56; D Steyn 3-48, D Olivier 4-48) vs South Africa 123-2 in 30 overs (A Markram 78, H Amla 24*; M Amir 1-25, S Masood 1-4)