Du Plessis, Bavuma stretch South Africa’s lead vs Pakistan
CAPETOWN: Faf du Plessis ground out a century and put South Africa in a commanding position on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands on Friday. Du Plessis made 103, his ninth Test century, as South Africa reached 382 for six at the close, a lead of 205 runs.
The South Africa captain shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 156 with Temba Bavuma (75), which sapped the energy from the Pakistan bowlers and fielders. Wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock benefitted from the wearing down of the bowlers, hitting a breezy 55 not out off 71 balls late in the day.
Du Plessis, out for a pair during South Africa’s six-wicket win in the first Test in Centurion, showed patience and resolve in an innings lasting six minutes short of six hours. He faced 226 balls and hit 13 fours.
He gave a chance on 96 when Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed could not hold a faint glance down the leg side off Mohammad Abbas who had bowled Hashim Amla with his fifth delivery of the morning with a ball which deviated sharply off a crack. Abbas appeared to have had Bavuma caught by Azhar Ali at first slip when he was on three. The on-field umpires gave a “soft” signal of out but asked for television umpire Sundaram Ravi to check whether there had been a clean catch. Ravi decided the ball had touched the ground when the catch was taken.
Shortly afterwards, Abbas unsuccessfully sought a review when he thought Bavuma was leg before wicket. He later won an lbw decision against Bavuma only for the batsman to be reprieved on review, with replays showing the ball just going over the top of the bails.
Brief scores: Pakistan 177. South Africa (overnight 123-2) 382-6 in 116 overs (Du Plessis 103, T Bavuma 75, Q de Kock 55*)