Pakistan v South Africa Day 2 - Review

[Amjid Javed]

At start of Day with pakistan being one bowler down the worry was South Africa would wrack up 500 and batter Pakistan into submittion.

However Umar Gul and YK bowled superbly with the new ball and
pakistan and pakistan ended up taking the last 8 S.A wickets for 73 runs. (6 for 54 in the session)

In reply Pakistan got off to a solid start with Hafeez gettting 60 and Taufeeq 42.

From starring down the barrel at end of day 1, Pakistan are still in this match and have a platform now to try and get up to South Africas 380 and put the pressure back on them.

An excellent day for Pakistan. Hopefully Younis and Azhar can get some big scores tomorrow and Pakistan can countinue to compete in this match.

----------------------------

South Africa 380 v Pakistan 144/2 - Pakistan trail by 236 runs.

An enjoyable days cricket being a Pakistan fan!

[Poison]

A superb day for Pakistan. Push on to 400 if possible, or try and bat for three days because Riaz is gone

[AZ]

outstanding fightback by Pakistan, need to make it count tomorrow.

[Amjid Javed]

Riaz may still be able to bat hopefully, Just no boom boom shots if his sides hurting

[Sledger]

Pakistan need to target a score of 600, yes 600!

[Gollum]

Great turn around by Pakistan. Tomorrow will be a crucial day. We have to bat the full day tomorrow to make it a game.

[Amjid Javed]

Ball was starting to reverse abit for Steyn so pakistan have to be wary of that in the morning.

[farazaidi]

Great day for Pakistan!

A lot of character shown by the boys after being a bowler down in teh morning. However, we need to build on the advantage here and should try to get a sizeable lead.

[MAJID-SHAH]

Good day for pakistan, younis is still there - thats the key.

[Proud To Be A Pakistani]

Well the day surely belonged to Pakistan , runs were dried out .... but we didnt lose more than 2 ... which was good ... I want these two to take us to the lunch session tomorrow ... that would make it more interesting ... let see wat happens tomorrow ... I guess our resources were limited even with wahaz ... after he got unfit .... the picture became more worrying ..but we responded well

[Azlan Khan]

Boys Played Well

[90MPH]

Good day, but if they keep playing tuk tuk like they did in the last session then it will give SA more control. They need to up the anti tomorrow like they did at the start of the innings.

[amirfanforlife]

good day for pak today - inshallah tmr will be even better !

[MR__KHAN__JI]

We haven't had many days as good as this in test cricket lately....

[Maula Jutt]

Overall a very good day for us. Our bowling rocked despite being short of our top bowlers. Our opening batsmen clicked after a long time. And our middle order is fighting it out. Just need to carry the same positivity to the next day.

[Seen Sheen]

Brilliant Day for us...

Gul inspired the bowling attack,got the early breakthroughs and then the spin twins bowled excellantly as well...

Hafeez played a good knock BUT got out at the wrong time...should've scored a ton!!
Taufeeq was also batting well untill Harper struck...

Onus is now on YK and Azhar to capitalize on the start and carry the inngs forward...
Both safely negotiated the final hour today...

[KingKhanWC]

A big suprise for the South Africans.

Pakistan dominated the first two sessions but the Saffers fought back well in the final session.

Looking for forward to a Younis Khan century.

[enigmatic_stani]

Originally Posted by Sledger Pakistan need to target a score of 600, yes 600!

I think weve barely made 300 on a few occasions this year so realistically any sort of lead will be a bonus.

[MRSN]

Brilliant day for Pakistan...cant ask for better.

Umer gul,Rehman were fantastic especially Gul was unbelievable.

Good solid opening partnership...YK and Azhar both are set for big innings.

should have scored 20 runs more in last session

[Sledger]

What a ball that was by Gul to AB. I think Asif taught him that one.

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by Poison A superb day for Pakistan. Push on to 400 if possible, or try and bat for three days because Riaz is gone

We can still get Saffers under pressure if we get a lead of 75 - 100...4th day,wearing pitch,spin twins...

Don't write us off...

[mhraja]

A very good day for us, I hope we can build on this. We are in good position now but one of Younis or Azhar must go on and score big. Azhar doesn't seem to be comfortable at all though,

Before batting, bowling was brilliant. Unar Gul really was his best and spinners helped him a lot.

[Sledger]

Originally Posted by enigmatic_stani I think weve barely made 300 on a few occasions this year so realistically any sort of lead will be a bonus.

The only really dead wicket they've played on was MCG though (I think they made 300 there). This is a slow track with some turn and a bit in it with the new ball. Need to aim high.

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by Sledger What a ball that was by Gul to AB. I think Asif taught him that one.

i sure hope Asif only restricted himself to teaching cricket matters

[mhraja]

Originally Posted by Sledger What a ball that was by Gul to AB. I think Asif taught him that one.

Yes that was a brilliant ball

[Poison]

Younis looks at ease. Don't want to jinx it but he may score big here. 500 himself is a possibility.

[Proud To Be A Pakistani]

Originally Posted by Sledger What a ball that was by Gul to AB. I think Asif taught him that one.

lol thank God there was no ''No Ball ''' ;)

[TigerJat]

to have a good chance in the match, we need to play positively tomorrow, and score runs.
Need a lead of about 100 or so, to really put the pressure on South Africa.

Don't rule out a collapse however, just like SA collapsed today, Pakistan are the kings of collapse.

[enigmatic_stani]

Originally Posted by Sledger The only really dead wicket they've played on was MCG though (I think they made 300 there). This is a slow track with some turn and a bit in it with the new ball. Need to aim high.

Brother, a one run lead for our team is aiming high!

[Afridi_Fan]

Good day.

[TigerJat]

Hafiz played a really poor stroke to get out

[Sledger]

Originally Posted by enigmatic_stani Brother, a one run lead for our team is aiming high!

Lol. Don't ask negative questions.

Pakistan can score at least 500 here, its a flat track. Misbah and Umar Akmal could score big here as well.

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by Sledger What a ball that was by Gul to AB. I think Asif taught him that one.

Nah,Gul is well capable of bowling that in-ducker..

Got rid of Ross Taylor,Michael Clarke at Basin Reserve and Headingley respectively with a similar delivery..

[Sledger]

I'm glad there is no WAQA-like abbreviation for the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

[Ummer Khan]

Originally Posted by Sledger Pakistan need to target a score of 600, yes 600!

in 1 or 2 innings,please specify

[Sledger]

Originally Posted by Seen Sheen Nah,Gul is well capable of bowling that in-ducker..

Yeah, he bowls the ball a lot but I've never seen him jag one in that much. Took me back to Karachi 06.

[Poison]

Originally Posted by Seen Sheen Nah,Gul is well capable of bowling that in-ducker.. Got rid of Ross Taylor,Michael Clarke at Basin Reserve and Headingley respectively with a similar delivery..

That was more swing than seam.

[Sledger]

Originally Posted by Umerkhan007 in 1 or 2 innings,please specify

Pakistan will only be batting once. Innings defeat on the cards for SA.

[enigmatic_stani]

Originally Posted by Sledger Lol. Don't ask negative questions. Pakistan can score at least 500 here, its a flat track. Misbah and Umar Akmal could score big here as well.

I would love us to get a big lead but with Misbah not to feature. I dont want any more reason to warrant his future inclusion, blocking the path of young talent to progress. If we want to build a team we cant have both him and Moyo in the team. One is enough.

[Impala_KaifTamasha]

Brilliant comeback by us.

Just hope we can push and get a substancial lead,and hopefully chase something low in the last inns.

[Sledger]

Misbah shouldn't be in any international team on merit but he's test captain so I guess he stays for now.

[enigmatic_stani]

Originally Posted by Sledger Misbah shouldn't be in any international team on merit but he's test captain so I guess he stays for now.

Its a catch 22 situation. I would love us to win this series but that would mean that Misbah would become undroppable as captain.

[Atif]

That's the cornered tigers spirit, need to keep it up, hopefully the batsmen can put on a big score..

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by Sledger The only really dead wicket they've played on was MCG though (I think they made 300 there). This is a slow track with some turn and a bit in it with the new ball. Need to aim high.

SCG wicket also changed its behaviour dramatically and had become a perfect batting track when Pak started their innings...

Butt,Farhat put on 100+ for the 1st wicket in that test...

[WNC]

Pretty good day for us, could've been better had we brought the defecit to under 200 today only. But good none the less.

Am worried about SA's 2nd innings though, without Wahab, we're a fast bowler short...and a handy lower order bat too.

[Sledger]

Originally Posted by Seen Sheen SCG wicket also changed its behaviour dramatically and had become a perfect batting track when Pak started their innings... Butt,Farhat put on 100+ for the 1st wicket in that test...

Conditions improved but it was hardly a perfect batting track. New ball did a fair bit and there was always spin in the wicket. Hobart was flatter but the breeze meant the ball swung quite a lot. Incidently, I consider this [SCG] Salman Butt's best test innings, above all his ftb hundreds.

[farazaidi]

The pitch is getting slower and 3rd is going to be the best day for batting. With our best batsman at the crease, the onus is upon us to bat SA out of the game. Yes, I really mean that!

We need to have a lead around 150-200. Need to aim high and bat positively

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by Sledger Conditions improved but it was hardly a perfect batting track. New ball did a fair bit and there was always spin in the wicket. Hobart was flatter but the breeze meant the ball swung quite a lot. Incidently, I consider this [SCG] Salman Butt's best test innings, above all his ftb hundreds.

Only Bollinger was swinging it a bit...Siddle and Johsnon didnt get much movement...

Umar,Yousuf and Faisal threw their wickets away after being well set..we could've shut Aussies out of the match really..

Pitch started to take turn on day 3...
..Day 2 track was pretty much a batting one..

[Markhor]

Pleasing day for Pakistan.All it takes is a session to turn the match around.Hope Younis and Azhar make big innings here.

Lets build on this guys !

[Sledger]

Siddle got the ball to swing/seam back into the left handers for a prolonged period.

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by farazaidi The pitch is getting slower and 3rd is going to be the best day for batting. With our best batsman at the crease, the onus is upon us to bat SA out of the game. Yes, I really mean that! We need to have a lead around 150-200. Need to aim high and bat positively

Even a lead of 100 could be vital for us...
Much depends upon the current partnership..

Tons by YK and Azhar would shut Saffers out of the game...

[enigmatic_stani]

We need to ensure we score at least 3.50 runs per over if we want to press this game. A lead of over a hundred only going at 2.50 will be counterproductive as will allow SA to save the game. That is why i believe U.Akmal could be the key tomorrow. He is the only batsmen we have in the middle order that can push the tempo and put pressure on the bowlers.

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by Sledger Siddle got the ball to swing/seam back into the left handers for a prolonged period.

But if you remember,our batsmen gave their wickets away...
Farhat played a pathetic sweep,Faisal gifted his wicket away, Yousuf guided one to keeper and Misbah I think got out on a hook shot..

[Sledger]

Giving their wickets away doesn't mean its a flat track. They did the hard work and the middle order didn't make use of the opening stand. If you remember, even the second new ball did quite a bit and started the collapse of the lower middle order.

[waqar_ahmad]

Originally Posted by Sledger Pakistan need to target a score of 600, yes 600!

You mean in both tests combined?

But a good fightback. But the way hafeez got out was, well, annoying to say the least. We could easiy have been one down, instead of two

[JibranAnsari]

where can iwatch highlights, any website?

[jeetu]

A great day of Pak and its fan.
Lets see how Day 3 turns up.

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by Poison That was more swing than seam.

Wrong!!Both moved off the pitch...

[pakcricketfan]

Excellent come back by Pakistan, especially considering that we were already one bowler short when we began our day.
Superb bowling by Umar Gul, with great support from YK at the other end. Good bowling by Rehman too.
Loved the attack by Hafeez.. this guy is in great form MashALLAH.. He didn't allow the Saffers to get on top right from the beginning. BUT he got out at the wrong time. He was looking set for a big score but did the same thing that most of us were concerned about. Really needs to kick on and convert these 50s and 60s into hundreds.
Good batting by Taufeeq, too.
Hopefully, Azhar Ali and YK will be able to put up a big partnership tomorrow. Azhar will definitely benefit from bating with YK. They should start positively tomorrow.

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by Sledger Giving their wickets away doesn't mean its a flat track. They did the hard work and the middle order didn't make use of the opening stand. If you remember, even the second new ball did quite a bit and started the collapse of the lower middle order.

Yousuf,Faisal ,Farhat were well set and had absolutely no problem facing the Aussie bowlers..Ball was coming onto the bat nicely..No reverse swing with the old ball as well..

Still think,we should have scored atleast 400 given the start we had..

[*sallu*]

Huge day for Pakistan
Got us back into a chance to save the game, it will be tough to go for a win considering we have only 3 bowlers.

Great great bowling from Gul at the start, excellent support from Younis and Abdur Rehman and Ajmal also contributed so it was a good team effort.

And Muhammad Hafeez looks so technically perfect when hes batting and some of the shots he plays, it looks like no one can get him out, and then, bam, brainfart.
Taufeeq also did well.
Lots depends on YK and Umar Akmal. Should get upto 400-450 somehow

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by Sledger I'm glad there is no WAQA-like abbreviation for the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

why did nobody catch this gem?

[PakPassionate]

wahab ruled out...now we need to scored 500+ for saving this test.... i dont think we can bowled them out with 3 bowlers.

[*sallu*]

Originally Posted by Sledger I'm glad there is no WAQA-like abbreviation for the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Legend

[BoomBoomCricket]

Great turn around from us

Hopefully more of the same tomorrow

[Amjid Javed]

After 1st two days one thing is apparent you have to bend your back as a bowler on this wicket to get something out if it but you can get rewarded for it.

Bowling full length on this wicket seems to make it easy for Batsmen to score runs. The surface is very slow but as Gul showed if you bowl just back of a length you can get the new ball and old ball to move around. Also the S.A spinner showed if you bowl slow and give the ball air you can get ball to turn a little.

Pakistan spinners bowled to flat and to short which didnt help.

I hope we can match S.A inns score because with one seamer down we are handicapped!

[Seen Sheen]

Originally Posted by Paradox why did nobody catch this gem?

I thought it was Dubai Sports City ,not DICS!!!

[iHammad]

good fightback by pakistan!

brilliant bowling, and batting

missed the whole day's play, need to watch highlights

[Theo_14]

I was asleep when Pakistan took the quick wickets of the remaining batsmen - but I must say I'm impressed that the Pakistani bowlers restricted South Africia to 380 which is a big thing because at one stage they were heading towards 450 atleast and Pakistan's bowling attack seems weaker with the likes of Aamer and Asif missing through the match-fixing allegations, superb effort by the bowlers.

Pakistan started of very well with the bat - that was 2nd 100th Partnership in the last 10 or 17 I believe (not quite sure) however that's a very good achievement. Hafeez continued his good form from the ODI's to the longer format of the game and played some beautiful shots - took full advantage of the short ball and Taufeeq offered great support to with a patient 4 - the 2 straight drives were just world-class. Also enjoyed how the openers had a different approach which was to attack and play as if they are playing in a limited game - however as it always happends... once a partnership reaches a ton there's only 1 batsmen who goes for the pointless shot and that man was Hafeez.

Azhar is a soldier in the situation he was in - he was cool and patient which is what is required in the longer format of the game, I think Younis is the ideal partner to get the best out of him seeing Younis is more experienced and has the ideal leadership to get the full potential out of a youngster as Moyo and Younis himself have done before with the likes of Umar Akmal and many other youngsters. It's going to be interesting to see how Azhar and Younis handle the bowlers in the morning considering that's the session where SA's batsmen collapsed I believe.

More positive to look forward to is that we have plenty of batsmen after Azhar and Younis - Umar Akmal must be glooming with confidence as he made a handfull 60 in the last ODI and his approach (attacking) should cause problems but maturity is required. Misbah hasn't played a test since Janaury I believe so it's important for him to focus and get going, he's got more responsibilities then he had in his previous test match as he's the captain ofcourse so we could see a different Misbah, he's done well domestically and there's no doubt that he can stay at the crease for a long long time. And ofcourse we have the 'secret weapon' Adnan Akmal - inshAllah he will do well then we have the likes of Gul and Ajmal who have shown before that they can bat in England so we could expect a good 20-30+ runs from them.

Good day for Pakistan, that is all.

[Boi]

Originally Posted by Theo_14 I was asleep when Pakistan took the quick wickets of the remaining batsmen - but I must say I'm impressed that the Pakistani bowlers restricted South Africia to 380 which is a big thing because at one stage they were heading towards 450 atleast and Pakistan's bowling attack seems weaker with the likes of Aamer and Asif missing through the match-fixing allegations, superb effort by the bowlers. Pakistan started of very well with the bat - that was 2nd 100th Partnership in the last 10 or 17 I believe (not quite sure) however that's a very good achievement. Hafeez continued his good form from the ODI's to the longer format of the game and played some beautiful shots - took full advantage of the short ball and Taufeeq offered great support to with a patient 4 - the 2 straight drives were just world-class. Also enjoyed how the openers had a different approach which was to attack and play as if they are playing in a limited game - however as it always happends... once a partnership reaches a ton there's only 1 batsmen who goes for the pointless shot and that man was Hafeez. Wahab is a soldier in the situation he was in - he was cool and patient which is what is required in the longer format of the game, I think Younis is the ideal partner to get the best out of him seeing Younis is more experienced and has the ideal leadership to get the full potential out of a youngster as Moyo and Younis himself have done before with the likes of Umar Akmal and many other youngsters. It's going to be interesting to see how Wahab and Younis handle the bowlers in the morning considering that's the session where SA's batsmen collapsed I believe. More positive to look forward to is that we have plenty of batsmen after Wahab and Younis - Umar Akmal must be glooming with confidence as he made a handfull 60 in the last ODI and his approach (attacking) should cause problems but maturity is required. Misbah hasn't played a test since Janaury I believe so it's important for him to focus and get going, he's got more responsibilities then he had in his previous test match as he's the captain ofcourse so we could see a different Misbah, he's done well domestically and there's no doubt that he can stay at the crease for a long long time. And ofcourse we have the 'secret weapon' Adnan Akmal - inshAllah he will do well then we have the likes of Gul and Ajmal who have shown before that they can bat in England so we could expect a good 20-30+ runs from them. Good day for Pakistan, that is all.

Oh come on. Wahab looks nothing like Azhar. :aali

Anyways. Superb comeback today from Pakistan. Ajmal, Gul, Rehman and Younis did extremely well despite losing Wahab, the bowler.
Insha'Allah we can spring up a couple of big partnerships tomorrow and eventually get a lead. It's imperative that the likes of Misbah and the Akmals get their head down and score heavily if we lose a wicket early tomorrow.

[arsalan660]

Good Day for Pakistan.

Now need to bat 3 sessions tomorrow.

[Theo_14]

Originally Posted by Boi Oh come on. Wahab looks nothing like Azhar. :aali

Double checked the post yet didn't notice that!

[GOAT]

Originally Posted by Sledger Lol. Don't ask negative questions. Pakistan can score at least 500 here, its a flat track. Misbah and Umar Akmal could score big here as well.

I don't see Misbah scoring big if he scores at all, I hope I'm wrong.

But one of the trio of Younis, Azhar, and Umar need to score a big ton if we want to win the match. Out of those three, Umars the most likely to.

If we bat out all of tomorrow I think a draw, at minimum, is almost secured

[imshally81]

Originally Posted by Sledger Pakistan need to target a score of 600, yes 600!

in 2 innings ??

[Sledger]

^ If I had a suitcase of £150K for each time that joke has been made.....

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Sledger ^ If I had a suitcase of £150K for each time that joke has been made.....

Am sure a few Pakistani player have them amounts to ensure it dont happen!

[Faisalabadimunda]

Pakistan needs younis khan or someone to score a big century if they are to put south africa under pressure.

[Syndrome]

All you guys are talking about a lead. I just hope we don't collapse for anything under 300, because then its game over. If SA can collapse on this pitch, then we can as well. I think the pitch is really going to turn the last 2 days. We have to make this count and bat out the whole day tomorrow!

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan need to keep building partnerships tomorrow and some one needs to stand up and score a big hundred. Hopefully YK can make a hundred on his test return!

[rajachoudhary50]

Dont underestimate Misbah...His batting is suited to tests and he can score big