Related Links : South Africa in Pakistan 2007/08 : Scorecard
Pakistan have got themselves to a miserable position in the first Test at Karachi after a batting collapse in the final session. The homeside finished at 127 for 5 in reply to South Africa’s 450 which is a huge score on a dry wicket such as the one at the National Stadium.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan took seven wickets at the cost of just 156 runs with debutant spinner Abdul Rehman picking up four wickets. Kallis, who was unbeaten on 118 on the first day went onto add another 37 runs in the morning before being the first one to be dismissed by Danish Kaneria. Another overnight batsman Ashwell Prince was also a victim of Kaneria after the left hander made 36. Towards the end, it was a top notch innings from no.6 AB de Villiers that had got the formidable total for the Proteas. AB de Villiers made a quickfire 77 in 101 balls with 7 fours and a six before being the last batsman to be dismissed. SA were bowled out just a few minutes before the Tea Break.
Pakistan had actually suffered a huge blow early in the morning when opener Salman Butt was hospitalized because of severe stomach pain. Butt couldn’t take the field at all on the second day’s play and hasn’t come out to bat. Doctors think that Salman Butt is suffering from Gastroenteritis and it remains to be seen if the left hander can come out to bat on the third day or not. Kamran Akmal was the makeshift opener with Mohammad Hafeez and both right handers put on a magnificent opening stand of 71 in over 14 overs. But when left arm spinner Paul Harris got introduced early into the attack, the collapse for the homeside began. Harris accounted for both the openers with Akmal falling for a 37-ball 42 and Hafeez who had made 34.
After the twin blows from Paul Harris, the South African fast bowlers started to make serious inroads with Andre Nel taking the big fish Younis Khan cheaply. Kallis and Dale Steyn took a wicket each to leave Pakistan in dire straits. Pakistan are now left with their Shoaib Malik who is unbeaten on 9 after coming as low as no.6. Pak finished the day at 127 for 5 having played 40 overs.