Related Links : Pak in South Africa : Scorecard
Pakistan have given themselves a fighting chance to stay alive in the Centurion Test but it is South Africa that continues to be the better placed team. The home team has been set a target of 199 to move 1-0 up. Pakistan would like to believe that they can capture the remaining 8 wickets on the final day’s play but they have another 130 runs in the bank to defend. At the close of play, South Africa are hanging in there at 69 for two having lost its two openers. Hashim Amla is the unbeaten batsman along with nightwatchman Paul Harris.
The visiting team was earlier bowled out for 302 in their second innings. They had resumed the morning session at a score of 103 for 2. Most part of their innings today was in dire straits with wickets going down quickly. They were 187 for 6, with the lead at only 83, the writing was on the wall for an SA win. But a late order fight saw each and every partnership contributing to what could have been a tiny lead. Imran Farhat, the overnight batsman could add up 27 more to his 41 today. Younis Khan, who was unbeaten with Imran Farhat on the third day was the first casualty today making 38. Inzamam fell after making 35 but with his wicket, which fell at 185 was the last hope for the visitors. In the end, there were significant contributions coming from Shahid Nazir (40 from 35 balls with 4 fours and a six), Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (33) and Danish Kaneria who made a quick fire 23. Paul Harris, in his second test match had neat figures of 4 for 46 in 20.1 overs. Shaun Pollock was the next successful with 3 for 60 from 22 overs.
The chase for South Africa was off to a poor start with Mohammad Asif forcing AB de Villiers to nick his outswinger to the slips. But the ship was steadied by Skipper Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla who almost carried their side with just the one wicket down at stumps. But at the fag end of the day, Graeme Smith had to depart as he was trapped in front of the stumps by a Mohammad Hafeez off break. The left hander was shaping well during his innings of 32. At stumps on the fourth day,Amla with 17 and the night watchman, Paul Harris on 1 are two batsmen at the crease. The favourites at this stage would obviously be SA with only 130 more to get, but you never know what the Pakistani side can pull off with the ball. But it has to a spectacular effort if they have to win this match from here. For South Africa, this situation is not entirely different from the last test they had played against India at Newlands.