South Africa off to a blazing start in Dubai Test
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 has got off to a blazing start in the first Test against Pakistan being played at the Dubai International Stadium.
After winning the toss the Proteas opted to bat first. The openers got off to a jittery start. In fact right hander Alviro Petersen was extremely lucky to survive a vociferous appeal for a catch behind the wicket when he appeared to have edged a fine delivery
from Pakistan opening bowler Umar Gul with the South Africans at 13 for no loss.
The first ever Test to be played at the venue has provided a placid track where the batsmen have not encountered much trouble other than the swing and seam that was extracted by the new ball bowlers.
The openers gradually started taking the attack to the bowlers as Pakistani spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman failed to make an impression on the batsmen.
Petersen, who was buoyed with the chances he was given, took full toll on the spinners. He was especially harsh on Saeed Ajmal whom he swept and drove with aplomb.
He was playing in his attacking vein and continued to take chances, even hitting two shots over the inner field lofting both Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.
Graeme Smith the South African captain was assured at the other end and kept giving the strike to Petersen.
Petersen reached his half century off 69 balls striking 8 fours in all, by the time the lunch interval was taken the Proteas had reached 100 for no loss.
Smith was unbeaten on 48 off 91 balls while Petersen was batting on 51 in 29 overs.
Meanwhile, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 was forced to make as many as seven changes to the team that last played a Test match for them.
The Test was the controversial Lords Test after which Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were suspended for their alleged involvement in a spot fixing scandal that broke out during the match.
Besides the trio Pakistan also included four other players. The final eleven thus included captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, debutant wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul and opener Taufeeq Umar, who made a return to the Test
team after a long absence.
The South Africans had the luxury of choosing their first eleven for the match and their incredible start has further strengthened their position in the match.
Tags: