1st Test: South Africa skittle Pakistan for 49 runs

Dale Steyn claims 6 wickets to put hosts in command in Johannesburg.

JOHANNESBURG:

Dale Steyn sent Pakistan crashing to a new low as South Africa took control on the second day of the first Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Steyn took six wickets for eight runs in 8.1 overs as Pakistan were shot out for 49, four fewer than their previous lowest Test total of 53 against Australia in Sharjah in 2002/03.

South Africa led by 204 runs on the first innings, but decided not to enforce the follow-on.

The hosts were 207 for three in their second innings at the close, an overall lead of 411, with captain Graeme Smith (52), Hashim Amla (50 not out) and A B de Villiers (63 not out) hitting half-centuries.

AB de Villiers equalled the South African wicket-keeping record by holding six catches and there were three catches in the slips as the Pakistani batsmen failed to cope with top quality bowling on a pitch with steep and sometimes variable bounce as well as some sideways movement.

Vernon Philander took two for 16 and Jacques Kallis two for 11.

Azhar Ali (13) and captain Misbahul Haq (12) were the only Pakistani batsmen to reach double figures.

Steyn started Pakistan’s collapse by taking three wickets in 14 balls at the start of the day and followed up with three more in 12 deliveries to wrap up the innings soon after lunch.

Steyn struck with his fifth ball of the day after Pakistan resumed at six for no wicket, having Mohammad Hafeez caught behind for six. In his next over, Steyn trapped new cap Nasir Jamshed leg before wicket when the left-hander went back on his stumps against a full delivery.

Five balls later Steyn claimed the key wicket of Younus Khan, caught at first slip.

Azhar and Misbah survived for more than an hour before Kallis claimed two wickets in three balls, having both batsmen caught behind.

Philander came back to dismiss Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul within three balls as Pakistan lurched to lunch at 40 for seven.

Steyn struck twice in the first over after lunch, but Junaid Khan edged and slogged two boundaries off Philander before Steyn had Rahat Ali caught at third slip.

South Africa’s second innings got off to a decent start when Smith and Alviro Petersen put on 82 for the first wicket.

Three wickets fell in quick succession before Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers pressed home South Africa’s advantage with an enterprising unbeaten fourth wicket stand of 108. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2013.