Cricket Recap: Misbah helps http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 to draw Test series
Pakistani Batsmen held their nerves long enough on the fifth day to save the second Test of the series. Pakistan was given a target of 353, and under good batting conditions a draw was always on the cards. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 resumed from their overnight score of 173/4 and it seemed that they will declare after playing some overs. It surprised everyone that South Africa did not declare in the evening session of the fourth day, as it would have given them a chance to take couple of wickets in the closing sessions. For Pakistan, a drawn series would be rated very high, as they could have easily lost the series. South Africa played only six over’s of the morning session and declared their innings on 203 for the loss of five wickets. Pakistan managed to pick the wicket of Boucher in the morning session, when he was bowled by Umar Gul. The ball kept low as Boucher was unable to put the bat down in time. Prince struck some boundaries in his 47*, when South Africa decided to declare their second innings for 203. For Pakistan, the plan was simple; play the rest of the day without losing many wickets. In the end they did manage to save the match with the help of a responsible innings from their Captain.
Pakistan started positively and played the bowlers with some maturity. Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar, played some confident strokes and effortlessly smashed shots, under good batting conditions. Hafeez, who has played well throughout the series, again showed his class with a steady 34. He struck four boundaries in his innings of 34 runs. Taufeeq Umar was again patient in his approach and scored whenever he got the opportunity. On the score of 66, Pakistan lost its first wicket, when Taufeeq Umar was deceived by a straighter one from Botha, and was judged leg before. In the next over, Hafeez was dismissed in a similar fashion, of the bowling of Harris. Younis Khan was next at the crease but was bowled for naught. Suddenly Pakistan was 66 for three.
For Pakistan, help camefrom skipper Misbah, who took them to safety with a patient knock of 55*. Misbah was the real architect for Pakistan as he did not play any rash shots. Like the last Test, he played with a lot of maturity and patience. He played the ball away from his body in-order to keep his wicket intact. South Africa, after taking three quick wickets, was fancying their chances of taking the rest of the Pakistani wickets but found it difficult to create problems for the opposing batsmen. Azhar Ali, was the other hero for Pakistan as he again showed his class. Both Misbah and Azhar added 87 runs for the fourth wicket and helped their team secure a draw.
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