2nd Test, Day 3: Match evenly poised, Pakistan 100/3 in second innings

Live updates from the third day of the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan.

Zeenews Sports Bureau

SCORE» I COMMENTARY» ==================================================================================== ALSO READ No ‘doosra’ like Saeed Ajmal ==================================================================================== Brief Summary Steyn once again got his side to a rollicking start by dismissing Mohammad Hafeez off the second ball of Pakistan’s second innings. He had the last laugh against Younis Khan as well who was bowled. Azhar Ali once again showed some good resilience and has looked good at the crease so far. Misbah has also played a patient innings, but he didn’t hesitate to launch the ball into the stands on three occasions. Pakistan would want to swell the lead as much as they can from here onwards. The latest update isn’t good news for South African fans. As per reports, Morne Morkel who suffered a hamstring in his left foot won’t bowl any more in this Test and is likely to miss the next as well. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN STUMPS/Overs: 44 II Score: 100/3 (Ali: 45*, Misbah: 36*) Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq have added 55 runs for the fifth wicket after Steyn dismissed Hafeez (0) and Younis (14) early in the innings. Pakistan now lead by 112 runs with 7 wickets in hand. Steyn was once again at his best today and Pakistan will expect their skipper to score a big knock here along with Azhar, who is already in some good form. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 40 II Score: 88/3 (Ali: 40*, Misbah: 29*) After safely seeing Kallis’ pace, Misbah lofted the fifth delivery of the next over from Peterson over long-on for his second six of the innings. The next over was a maiden. Ali then extended the lead to 100 runs with a boundary off Philander in the 40th over. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 35 II Score: 75/3 (Ali: 34*, Misbah: 23*) Misbah breaks the monotony with a six off Peterson. It was tossed up and Misbah lofted it over long-off for a biggie. Nine runs came in that 31st over. Off the next two came four runs – two in each. The 34th was a maiden from Peterson while the next fetched them just a single. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 30 II Score: 61/3 (Ali: 31*, Misbah: 12*) Peterson grassed a difficult catch off his own bowling to dismiss Azhar. Earlier in the previous over (28th) after playing five consecutive maidens, Misbah played a short one from Kallis through gully region for a boundary. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 25 II Score: 55/3 (Ali: 31*, Misbah: 6*) Misbah got off to the mark with a boundary through point. He took 17 deliveries to open his account as he looks to stabilize the innings. Six runs came off the next four overs – three of them being maiden. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 20 II Score: 47/3 (Ali: 29*, Misbah: 0*) A watchful approach from Misbah as he is yet to get off the mark after playing 16 deliveries. A crucial phase this of the second Test. Pakistan need to ensure they don’t lose another wicket. The duo needs to exercise control over their natural urges and not fall to temptation. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 15.5 II Score: 45/3 (Ali: 27*, Misbah: 0*) OUT! Steyn gets the better off Khan! Short and outside off and Younis Khan chops it back on the stumps. He scored 14 (43b). Misbah-ul-Haq is the new man in the middle. A big wicket this for SA! ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 15 II Score: 42/2 (Ali: 27*, Khan: 12*) Robin Peterson introduced into the attack and comes closer to taking a wicket. His third delivery was pitched outside off and struck Ali on the pad. The Proteas appealed for it and went for a review after it was turned down by the on-field umpire. Replays show that it was pitched outside off and so not out. SA have lost a review. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 10 II Score: 31/2 (Ali: 23*, Khan: 6*) Azhar Ali starts positively scoring a boundary off the first delivery from Morkel after tea. It was bowled on the leg and Ali just worked it to midwicket boundary. Four runs came in the over. Off the next, came two runs. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 8 II Score: 25/2 (Ali: 19*, Khan: 5*) TEA. A brilliant start by the South African team as they wiped away the Pakistani openers within the first two overs. Ali and Younis have ensured that SA made no further damage while going into tea on the third day. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 2 II Score: 7/2 (Ali: 12*, Khan: 0*) OUT! Terrific stiff from the South African bowlers! Philander bowls one on the leg and it straightens as Jamshed gets hit on the pads in front of the wickets. The South Africans appeal and umpire raises his finger. Jamshed has a long chat with Azhar Ali and eventually walks off. The umpire ask him to stay back to check for the no-ball but Philander is safely behind. He also departs for a duck. Younis Khan is the new man in the middle. ==================================================================================== PAKISTAN Overs: 1 II Score: 6/1 (Jamshed: 0*, Ali: 5*) OUT! And South Africa draw first blood with Dale Steyn trapping Mohd. Hafeez in front of the wickets off the second delivery! Hafeez speaks to Jamshed and decides not to review it. Pakistan lost their first wicket without a total on the board. However, Azhar Ali, the new man in the middle, struck him for a boundary off the next to get off the mark. Six runs and a wicket in the first over. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 102.1 II Score: 326/10 ( Morkel: 8*) That’s it! South Africa have been bundled out for 326 after Peterson perished in his quest to reach his century before the final wicket falls. Hafeez becomes the third bowler in this innings to have a wicket against his name. Peterson holed out to Gul at long on after scoring 84 (106b, 4X15). Pakistan lead by 12 runs. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 98.6 II Score: 303/9 ( Peterson: 73*, Morkel: 0*) South Africa have lost their ninth wicket in Dale Steyn who fell to Irfan after edging his sixth delivery to wicketkeeper. He scored 10 (13b, 4X2). Morne Morkel is the last man in. Can South Africa manage to wipe out the arrears? ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 94.3 II Score: 277/8 ( Peterson: 57*,Steyn: 0*) Irfan removes Philander! A short one from Irfan bowled at a quick pace and Philander gets a leading edge that is well taken by Nasir at gully. He scored 22 (43b, 4X3). Dale Steyn is the new man in the middle. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 92 II Score: 267/7 ( Peterson: 56*, Philander: 14*) Peterson scores two back-to-back boundaries off Tanvir Ahmed - the second of which brings up his half-century. Off the next over, bowled by Umar Gul, he pulled a short one to midwicket for his 11th boundary. The next over from Ajmal is safely negotiated with Philander scoring a single off the final delivery. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 88 II Score: 235/7 ( Peterson: 40*, Philander: 12*) LUNCH! So, 28 overs bowled in this session with Pakistan picking up two wickets including the crucial wicket of AB de Villiers. Mohd. Irfan has picked up his first Test wicket dismissing de Villiers. SA are still trailing by 90 runs and have three wickets remaining. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 85 II Score: 235/7 ( Peterson: 33*, Philander: 6*) Unaffected by the dismissal of De Villiers, Peterson takes the matters in his hands and strikes two boundaries in the next over bowled by Hafeez’s. Off the next, Irfan could have picked up his second wicket but for his over stepping that denied him the scalp of Philander. In the 85th over, SA collected 11 runs that include two boundaries - - one each to Peterson and Philander. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 80.5 II Score: 208/7 ( Peterson: 17*, Philander: 0*) Mohd. Irfan ensnares AB de Villiers for his maiden Test wicket! Too bad for Ajmal won’t be able to pocket all ten wickets! A good length delivery from Irfan and De Villiers looked to work it to midwicket region but ended up playing it into the hands of Umar Gul at mid-on. He scored 61 (113b, 4X7). Vernon Philander is the new batsman in the middle. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 80 II Score: 208/6 (Villiers: 61*, Peterson: 16*) Just a single off the 76th over bowled by Ajmal. Off the next, De Villiers drove Irfan through covers for a boundary. Peterson then cut Ajmal’s first in the next through point for his first boundary of the innings. Off the next two, came six runs. Spin in Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal is currently in operation. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 75 II Score: 191/6 (Villiers: 53*, Peterson: 7*) AB de Villiers brings up his 32nd Test fifty with a boundary off Ajmal. The right-hander has struck six boundaries so far in his innings and has looked good today. Batting alongside him is Robin Peterson who came in after the departure of Dean Elgar. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 70 II Score: 168/6 (Villiers: 37*, Peterson: 0*) Saeed Ajmal gets another one! He flighted delivery and Elgar goes after it attempting a drive. The result of it is a thick outside edge that is well taken by Younis Khan at first slip to end Elgar’s innings. He scored 23 (83b, 4X2). Robin Peterseon is the new batsman in the middle. SA are still 170 runs behind and have four wickets in hand. That partnership between De Villiers and Elgar was worth 55 runs. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 65 II Score: 153/5 (Villiers: 33*, Elgar: 16*) Pakistan have recommenced the proceedings with a pacer and spinner. Umar Gul bowled the first over of the day and was safely negotiated Dean Elgar. Saeed Ajmal from the other end bowls a good first over as well conceding just a single. De Villiers then breaks the shackles with a superb cut that races away to the boundary off Gul in the next. Elgar then joins in with a boundary off Ajmal in the next. The 65th over from Gul is a maiden. ==================================================================================== SOUTH AFRICA Overs: 60 II Score: 139/5 (Villiers: 24*, Elgar: 11*) Even the world class top-order couldn’t tackle Saeed Ajmal who once again displayed why he is currently the most threatening spinner in the world. The Proteas batting line-up boasts of players like Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and the legendary Jacques Kallis. But they all were on their back foot today and couldn’t do much. There are rare moments when you spend your night thinking about ways to combat against a spinner the next morning. AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar would certainly be going through the same phase.