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South Africa v Pakistan - Pakistan in South Africa Test Series - 2nd Test – Match Recap

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South Africa v Pakistan - Pakistan in South Africa Test Series - 2nd Test – Match Recap
Pakistan 338 and 169 v South Africa 326 and 182 - South Africa won by 4 wickets
On Sunday, 18 February, 2013 South Africa secured their sixth series victory in a row when they beat Pakistan by four wickets in the second Test played at Newlands, Cape Town. Now with only one game to go, the hosts can look to better their record in the
next encounter.
The match was evenly balanced till the fourth day when the South African bowlers ripped apart the Pakistani batting line-up, reducing them to 169 runs.
Pakistan put up a brave face in their first innings thanks to a resilient effort by Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq, who both scored 111 runs to play a critical role in helping their side amass 338 runs when, initially, they had lost four wickets with only 33
on the board. Had it not been for this goliath of an effort by these two, Pakistan might have succumbed to a lower score in their first innings.
VD Philander was outstanding for South Africa in the first innings where he took five wickets and left the Pakistani batsmen clueless.
It wasn’t a bed of roses for South Africa in their first innings either, as they failed to counter ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, who kept taking wickets at regular intervals. The bowler finished with six wickets for 96 runs in the innings as South Africa were
restricted to 326.
Pacers Umar Gul and Tanvir Ahmed went wicket less in this innings while left-arm speedster Mohammad Irfan was the second best bowler with three wickets to his name.
From South Africa, AB de Villiers and RJ Peterson played big knocks of 61 and 84 to see their side overcome Pakistan’s lead.
Pakistan’s batting has been a disappointment throughout this tour and yet again they left their fans disappointed in the second innings when Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed both lost their wickets without scoring a run, as the side was left with seven
for two.
The South African pacers were just unplayable in the second innings as they grabbed the prized wicket of Younis Khan with just 45 runs on the board. The batsman found his way back to the pavilion after scoring 14 runs.
With Azhar Ali  on 45 and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq unbeaten on 36, Pakistan managed to end the third day of play with 100 runs on the board.
They were expected to continue this form on Sunday, however, after just 14 runs Pakistan lost their skipper, who fell for 44.
Except for Azhar Ali’s 65, it was a disappointing story for Pakistan as the batsmen failed to counter DW Steyn (3), VD Philander (4) and RJ Peterson (3).
Chasing a target of 182, South Africa with HM Amla as the highest scorer for his 58 runs, reached the target in 43.1 overs for the loss of six wickets.