Pakistan’s batting failures on their tour of South Africa continued yesterday after they were reduced to 91-4 at tea on day two of the third Test at Centurion.
The Proteas managed to stifle the run rate and frustrate the batsmen, with all four of their seamers impressive.
The difficult batting conditions make the home side’s first innings total of 409 seem all the more impressive.
Photo: AFP
Imran Farhat (30) had already survived an LBW appeal from Rory Kleinveldt that was overturned on review when he was trapped in front by Vernon Philander.
Farhat’s partnership of 46 with Mohammad Hafeez was comfortably Pakistan’s best opening wicket stand of the series.
However, if the start was promising, things soon unraveled. Hafeez (18) became the first Test victim for South African debutant swing bowler Kyle Abott as he was caught at gully by Dean Elgar in the paceman’s first over.
With the next ball Philander removed Azhar Ali (6) after his off-stump was knocked back by a ball that kept low and took the edge of the bat.
Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq (10) advanced the score to 75 before the latter edged Abbott to Alviro Petersen at second slip.
Younis (13 not out) and Asad Shafiq (2 not out) resumed in the final session.
INDIA V AUSTRALIA
Staff writer
India ended yesterday’s second day of the first Test against Australia in Chennai on 182-3 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 380 all out. Earlier, Australia captain Michael Clarke took his overnight score to 130 before being caught off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin finished with figures of 7-103.
Australian fast bowler James Pattinson then made two quick breakthroughs in the Indian innings, dismissing Murali Vijay and Virender Sehwag cheaply before Cheteshwar Pujara and Sachin Tendulkar fought back.
Pattinson bowled Pujara for 44 before Tendulkar and Virat Kohli ensured the hosts lost no more wickets before the close of play.
Tendulkar ended the day on 71 not out, with Kohli unbeaten on 50.
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