Pakistan were unable to capitalise on their Abu Dhabi Test win as the series was levelled 1-1. PHOTO: AFP
South Africa kept their seven-year unbeaten away record intact with an innings and 92-run win over Pakistan in the second and final Test in Dubai yesterday, squaring the two-match series 1-1.
It was a thorough and professional comeback by the world number one Test team after going down in last week’s first Test by seven wickets, as the Proteas out-batted and out-bowled Pakistan at Dubai stadium to put forth an all-round dominant display.
The win was completed with a day and 9.5 overs to spare when Pakistan were bowled out for 326 in their second innings after they conceded a big 418-run lead in the first innings.
But Pakistan did not go down without a fight as Asad Shafiq (130) notched his fourth Test hundred and, along with skipper Misbahul Haq (88), frustrated the South Africans during a 197-run stand for the fifth wicket.
South African skipper Graeme Smith praised his team.
“It was an outstanding four days for us, to respond in these conditions where I don’t think Pakistan have lost before,” said Smith. “We got most things right in this game. Anytime you bowl a team out for 99 you’ve gone way ahead in the Test match.”
Smith’s counterpart Misbah rued their first-innings failure.
“I am disappointed not to have won the series in these conditions,” said Misbah. “We couldn’t recover after being bowled out for 99. Smith and AB de Villiers batted really well.”
Faf du Plessis fined 50% match fee
South Africa’s deserved win was tainted by a ball-tampering row on Friday, when Faf Du Plessis was caught on television cameras scratching the ball on the zip of his trousers.
The on-field umpires Rod Tucker of Australia and Ian Gould of England along with television umpire Paul Reiffel warned Smith, changed the ball and gave five penalty runs to Pakistan.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee David Boon of Australia then fined Du Plessis 50% of his match fee yesterday.
Pakistan were left to rue their low score of 99 in the first innings which never allowed them to add to their only series win over South Africa in 2003 and, after their rivals piled up a mammoth 517 runs in reply, the writing was on the wall.
But when it looked like Misbah and Shafiq would guide Pakistan towards safety, Misbah’s miscued drive off Dean Elgar was well caught by Jacques Kallis, ending a 349-minute vigil in which he hit six boundaries and a six off 218 balls.
Shafiq reached his hundred with a superb on-drive off Duminy for his 11th boundary to complete his second hundred against South Africa.
In the morning, Misbah and Shafiq had added injury to South Africa’s insult by batting with a resolve to fight hard after they resumed at 132 for four.
The highlight of the match was Smith’s epic 234 and AB de Villiers’ 164 during their all-time South African Test record stand for the fifth wicket of 338.
The two teams now play a five-match One-Day International series, the first of which will be in Sharjah on Wednesday. They will also play two Twenty20 internationals.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2013.
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Even in the first Test,Pakistan needed just 40 to win and lost 3 wickets for 7.The batting line up is very fragile.Also,not to forget that Zimbabwe beat Pakistan recently.The victory in the first Test had created a lot of hype but the fact remains that Pakistan lacks class players.
The media excitement and hype created by our first test victory soon turned into an embarrassment for both sides. The South Africans were caught cheating and let off by the ICC with a mild rap on the fingers that left Pakistan on the docks. The innings defeat has left all the cricket lovers standing on their heads and wondering why all the over-confidence after the first test victory? Salams
Crushing Defeat like 1971.
After ball tampering saga now we know how S.A started to reverse swing ball in 20th over of first innings but this doesn't justify our weak batting performance which has been constant source of headache for number of years now. We need a proper batting wicket keeper and openers who have the temperament to negotiate with the new ball. Ball tampering has put a blot on S.A team and today my respect has gone for proteas.