Mohammad Asif knew he was in for a long, tough day so he knuckled down and kept his approach simple as he and Danish Kaneria bowled Pakistan into a potential winning position on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at St. George's Park on Sunday.
Asif took five for 76 as South Africa were bowled out for 331 in their second innings. Needing 191 to win, Pakistan were eight for no wicket at the close.
With Shoaib Akhtar not taking the field because of a hamstring injury, Pakistan only had three front-line bowlers and opening bowler Asif had to send down a punishing 39 overs.
"It was difficult but it was something I had to do," he shrugged. "I have bowled that many overs in domestic cricket before."
Asif said that because of a heavy workload and a pitch that was keeping low he concentrated on accuracy.
"That is why I was trying to keep hitting the stumps and not bowl any wides," he said.
Leg-spinner Kaneria bowled even more than Asif, taking four for 105 in 51.2 overs.
Asif was not prepared to claim a victory that would level the three-match series.
He thought his team had a good chance, but said it could be difficult if the South Africans bowled well.
Jacques Kallis, who made 91 for South Africa, said that his team were optimistic.
"We're happy with 190 and we believe we can defend it," he said.
But he admitted South Africa would have liked more runs.
"Unfortunately we lost wickets at key stages. We wanted at least 200 so it's pretty much a minimum," he said.
Kallis disagreed with Asif that the pitch was keeping low.
"I don't think it was keeping low. There has been a little bit of seam movement throughout the game and I'm sure it will continue tomorrow," Kallis said.
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