Quinton De Kock puts Proteas in strong position
Visitors chase first Joburg win
Pakistan’s tilt at history in terms of not only recording their first ever Test win in Johannesburg but also pulling off their second highest Test run chase will go into a fourth day.
With their most aggressive batsmen in Babar Azam (17*) and Asad Shafiq (48*) at the crease and time on their side, 381 is faintly within their reach.
Pakistan ended the third day on 153/3, 228 runs from their historic goal with only Sarfraz Ahmed and a longish and fragile tail to follow. Imam-ul-Haq (35) and Shan Masood (37) gave the visitors a solid 67-run start after South Africa were bowled out for 303.
The openers were removed by the Quinton de Kock/Dale Steyn combination but Masood, who’s exit needed a referral to get him on his back, elicited a disgusted response from the lanky left-hander. Azhar Ali’s miserable series came to an evitable end when his nemesis, Duanne Olivier, bounced him out yet again. Babar and Shafiq blazed their way to an unbeaten 49run fourth-wicket partnership that pretty much stands between a landmark chase and a customary collapse.
They need a batsman of Hashim Amla’s ilk, who not only can stave off a collapse, but serenely get them into a good position while another batting partner charms the crowd with sumptuous stroke play. While on their way to setting Pakistan the steep fourth innings target, the far quieter but highly appreciative Sunday crowd was treated to a delectable fourth Test century by De Kock.
It was proper De Kock special, laced with boundaries but also the intelligent kind of placement and running between the wickets that’s not always associated with big hitters. It came off only 121 balls and contained 15 fours. When he holed out to Hasan Ali at deep fine leg off Shadab Khan (3/41), the standing ovation was a warm one that recognised an unfussed lowerorder ton of the highest class. With the Proteas also needing their top order big guns to come good ahead of the looming five-match ODI series against the same opponents, the century was a timely one.
‘‘ Crowd was treated to a delectable fourth Test century