Tag: Pakistan

Zubayr Hamza scored an assured 41 on test debut for South Africa but the hosts squandered their advantage in a frenetic last session that saw them lose 7 wickets for 33 runs after being 229/3 at one stage on the opening day of the third test at the Wanderers.

Stand in skipper Dean Elgar won the toss and opted to bat first. The Proteas made only one change, with Hamza coming in for suspended regular captain Faf du Plessis. Pakistan however made three of them, with Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali coming in for Fakhar Zaman, Yasir Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Elgar was the first to go, edging an Abbas delivery to the keeper for just 5. His opening partner Aiden Markram, surprisingly dropped from the South Africa ODI squad against Pakistan, was impressive, hitting fours at will as Amla and he took control of the game. Just as it had been in Cape Town, Markram looked good for a century but fell at an inopportune moment. On 90, he attempted to flick an Ashraf delivery down the leg side, only for Sarfaraz Ahmed to take a good catch. Continue reading “Zubayr Hamza impressive on Proteas debut but South Africa squander advantage at Wanderers- Day 1 Report”

South Africa will be looking to wrap up the series at Newlands when they take on Pakistan in the second test on Thursday. The Proteas had some stressful moments to endure in the first test at Centurion, but prevailed thanks to Duanne Olivier’s 11 wicket haul and Hashim Amla’s half century in the second innings.

Pakistan had their chances in Pretoria- they allowed the Proteas tail to wag in the first innings (after the hosts had been 43/4 in reply to Pakistan’s 181 all out) and take a valuable 42 run lead and then went from 101/1 to 190 all out in the second.

In South Africa’s tricky fourth innings chase, Amla was dropped early in the innings and Elgar had a reprieve via the third umpire despite the on field umpires ruling Azhar Ali’s catch to be clean. Had both decisions gone Pakistan’s way, the Proteas would’ve been 16/3, but they did not, and the hosts eventually coasted to a six wicket victory.

Vernon Philander missed the first test due to injury but has recovered for the second, and is a certainty in the XI given his fabulous record at Newlands. With Faf du Plessis also confirming that Duanne Olivier would play in Cape Town, the Proteas selectors have a headache as to how to fit in Philander. The options before them would be to Continue reading “Proteas vs Pakistan 2019 Second Test Preview | South Africa look to make it 2-0 at Newlands”