At the close of play on day3 of the Abu Dhabi Test, Pakistan were fighting to save the Test as they still required 67 more runs in order to avoid the follow-on with only 4 wickets in hand. Pakistan had high hopes on their skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 who was batting
pretty well on 77.
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn trapped Misbah leg-before-wicket on the very first ball of day. Misbah’s dismissal was a big boost for the South Africans as they were looking for a series victory and
the best chance for them was to enforce follow-on.
But this was not the case as Abdur Rehman who has shown his batting skills several times in the domestic cricket came to the rescue at Test match level as well. Abdur Rehman scored a crucial 60 including 8 fours and a six. The Pakistani tale wagged as Umer
Gul and the debutant Tanvir Ahmed also contributed with important runs.
Because of the valiant efforts of the late-order, Pakistan managed to score 434 runs and conceded a 1st innings lead of 150 runs. It seemed on day 3 afternoon that South Africa would take a bigger lead than 150. Star of the innings remained Azhar
Ali with a gritty knock of 90. Misbah, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shafiq-c89281 and Abdur Rehman scored valuable half centuries for Pakistan and their contributions would go a long way if Pakistan is to escape defeat in the series. South African bowling was led by Steyn once again as he bowled
his heart out on a flat deck. Steyn ended up with figures of 4 for 98 and the left arm spinner Paul Harris got 3 wickets as well.
Although Graeme Smith was not able to open the innings for Proteas because of a hand injury, Peterson and the run-machine Hashim Amla started the 2nd innings briskly and had accumulated 81 runs for the first wicket in only 15 overs. Gul, Tanvir
and Sami, all went for runs but Pakistan managed to put brakes on the scoring rate with the introduction of spin.
Abdul Rehman who scored crucial runs for Pakistan earlier in the day took 3 important wickets to apply brakes on the South African run-rate. With the part-time off-spinner Muhammad Hafeez only going for 32 runs in his 16 overs and getting a wicket as well,
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 would be disappointed as they missed an opportunity to score quicker and put Pakistan under pressure on day 5.
At the close of play on day 4 South Africa had scored 173 for the loss of 4 wickets and had extended their lead to 323 runs. Hashim Amla top scored with 62. Ashwell Prince was not out on 27 and Mark Boucher was unbeaten on 13. All the 4 wickets fell to the
spinners which should be a good sign for Botha and Harris tomorrow.
It would be interesting to see if South Africa decide to declare first up in the morning and let Steyn and Morkel make use of the early morning conditions. The Proteas might rue the fact tomorrow that they let the run rate drop after a quick start which
used up some valuable time. Pakistan would have to bat well once again in order to save the test match and the series. Younis Khan would again be the key for Pakistan as surviving on the 5th day requires experience and mental strength. Whatever
the outcome, we are in for a thrilling day of Test cricket ahead of us.
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