Pakistan tested us to our limits: Amla

South Africa batsman says tourists were tough to beat.

South Africa star Hashim Amla says the second Test match win against Pakistan was their toughest challenge since their away series in Australia last year.

The home side wrapped up the match in four days, defeating the men in green by four wickets but Amla insists the Pakistan team was a tough nut to crack.

“Pakistan took us to our limits in certain respects,” said Amla. “We were under pressure in our first innings and then chasing 180, in the second, was never going to be an easy total.”

South Africa struggled to the paltry target of 182 set by Pakistan but Amla says they are unconcerned about the side’s questionable batting performance at Newlands.

“It was not an easy wicket to bat on in the first innings – for both teams – and, with one more game to go, I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

Amla also had words of praise for Pakistan’s seven-foot fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan.

“Irfan bowled quite well at Newlands and it’s not often you face someone so tall,” he said, according to Super Sport. “He got a lot of bounce but, fortunately for us, we face Morne Morkel in the nets, so we have an inkling of what he’s like.

“If Irfan had played at the Wanderers (first Test), where there was a lot of bounce, we’d have been able to judge him better. If Centurion (third Test) has a bit of pace and bounce, then all the seamers will come into play more.”

The third and final Test of the series will begin on February 22.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2013.