Proteas face a barrage from the Pakistani quicks
Despite a relatively low target, the Proteas still face a barrage from the Pakistani quicks
Day 2 of 5 Pakistan 181 and 190 South Africa 223
CHASING 149 today will not be easy.
No one has found batting easy in this match. Babar Azam in Pakistan’s first innings and Temba Bavuma in South Africa’s first dig made it look that way briefly, although Bavuma admitted yesterday it felt like he could lose his wicket at any stage.
It’s still a pitch offering plenty for the fast bowlers and the Pakistanis will relish bowling on it as they push for an early advantage in the series on the third day.
South Africa got the first innings lead they wanted, thanks to Bavuma’s 12th Test half-century, a display of grit and style under pressure. Bavuma specialises in this type of innings it seems – his career is dotted with knocks that have added value due to them being played when the side most needs runs.
He arrived at the crease amidst a top order collapse – three wickets fell for one run in 11 balls – on Wednesday. He played beautifully in the company first of Theunis de Bruyn and then nightwatchman Dale Steyn to provide stability.
Quinton De Kock added 45 runs yesterday, as South Africa grabbed a 42-run lead on the first innings. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohamad Amir took four wickets apiece, both showing the pitch was still providing plenty of assistance to the seamers.
Although Pakistan knocked off the deficit without damage in the wickets column, they rode their luck in doing so. Imam ul-Haq was dropped on 15 by Amla at first slip, and went onto make 57 as Pakistan built a lead, with a number of runs coming off outside edges.
They reached tea in relative comfort – 100/1 – but thereafter as has often been the case for them, the wheels fell off.
An incredible final session played out in which both sides went on the attack, but on this surface the bowlers consistently emerge victorious.
Duanne Olivier showed that the magic touch he found once he decided on the first day to hammer the ball into the pitch was still with him and in his first two overs after the interval he dismissed Imam with a ball that ricocheted off the bottom edge onto the stumps before another bouncer left Azhar Ali in a horrible tangle.
Those two wickets set the tone, and Rabada returned for a fabulous spell at the West Lane End. Bowling with terrific pace he got the ball moving off the surface too. Babar, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Amir fell in a whirlwind of Rabada fury as the good work of the Pakistani top order, that included a gutsy knock of 65 from Shan Masood, was undone.
Pakistan collapsed, losing nine wickets for 90 runs in the final session.
These are worrying times for their captain whose leadership is under scrutiny and whose form with the bat was poor. Registering ‘a pair’ in this match will increase the volume around whether he is worth retaining for the Cape Town Test and it will only be dialed down if he leads his side to win here.
Olivier already knows he’s unlikely to play the New Year’s Test despite finishing this match with a ‘ten-for.’ Vernon Philander, who’s place Olivier took, is expected to return after suffering a hairline fracture of his thumb, in keeping with the team’s policy.
However Olivier’s efforts here won’t soon be forgotten, he has bowled with aggression and his final match analysis (29-6-96-11) is a tribute to the hard work he has put into his bowling in the last 18 months.