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Smith wants to square Test series against Pakistan
Faisalbad, Oct 23: South African captain Graeme Smith said today that he wanted to square the two-Test series against Pakistan, leaving behind the defeat in the first cricket Test earlier this week.
Faisalbad, Oct 23: South African captain Graeme Smith said today that he wanted to square the two-Test series against Pakistan, leaving behind the defeat in the first cricket Test earlier this week.
"I think in many ways the defeat in Lahore was a bit disappointing and we let ourselves down in lot of areas," Smith told reporters ahead of the second Test which starts tomorrow.
But he added the defeat has given the South African side a goal.
South Africa's top order batting lineup was rattled by speedster Shoaib Akhtar in the second innings of the first Test with four for 36. But Akhtar will have to sit out the second Test after match referee Clive Lloyd slapped a ban on him of one Test and two one-day internationals for using abusive language against tail-ender Paul Adams on the first day of the first Test in Lahore.
His appeal was rejected yesterday. Akhtar's absence should relieve the South African batsmen. At Lahore, South Africa posted 320 in its first innings, but Smith said that was not enough to pressure Pakistan, which notched 401.
Bureau Report
But he added the defeat has given the South African side a goal.
South Africa's top order batting lineup was rattled by speedster Shoaib Akhtar in the second innings of the first Test with four for 36. But Akhtar will have to sit out the second Test after match referee Clive Lloyd slapped a ban on him of one Test and two one-day internationals for using abusive language against tail-ender Paul Adams on the first day of the first Test in Lahore.
His appeal was rejected yesterday. Akhtar's absence should relieve the South African batsmen. At Lahore, South Africa posted 320 in its first innings, but Smith said that was not enough to pressure Pakistan, which notched 401.
Bureau Report