Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock helped the Proteas take a 212-run lead despite Pakistan reducing the hosts to 135-5 on day two of the third Test, writes KHALID MOHIDIN.
Day two of the third Test at Wanderers was full of action.
After a circus of a first hour in the opening session that saw the Proteas squander six clear opportunities to take wickets, Duanne Olivier and Vernon Philander fought back to restrict Pakistan to 111-5 by lunch.
ALSO READ: Olivier ends circus first session
After the break, Olivier completed his third five-for of the series as Pakistan were bowled out for 185 halfway through day two of the third Test at the Wanderers.
ALSO READ: Olivier’s third five-for topples Pakistan
This brought the Proteas out to bat for their second innings with the safety net of a 77-run lead.
Dean Elgar ended his terrible stint with the bat as stand-in captain when he was dismissed on five for the second time in the Test. Mohammad Amir captured his wicket after Pakistan reviewed the on-field umpire’s not out call.
Aiden Markram looked in good form again as he and Amla survived until tea.
ALSO READ: Proteas extend dominance
Markram could not continue his form after the break. He was caught fishing four balls after tea with his score on 21 as Mohammad Abbas found his signature away swing.
Runs were hard to come by as the Proteas batsmen collapsed. De Bruyn went out for seven, followed by debutant Zubayr Hamza for a duck.
Amla battled through with Temba Bavuma and frustrated the Pakistan bowlers. The pair strung together 48 runs before Pakistan introduced their spinner, Shadab Khan, into the attack and he succeeded in findings the outside edge of Bavuma’s bat.
Amla finished the day with his score on 42 while De Kock contributed a bright 34 runs to help the Proteas post 135-5.
Match summary
South Africa 262 (first innings) – Aiden Markram (90), Theunis de Bruyn (48); Faheem Ashraf (3-57), Mohammad Amir (2-36)
Pakistan 185 (first innings)– Sarfraz Ahmed (50), Babar Azam (49), Imam-ul-Haq (43); Duanne Olivier (5-51), Vernon Philander (3-43)
South Africa 135-5 (second innings) – Hashim Amla (42), Quinton de Kock (34); Faheem Ashraf (2-19)
Proteas lead by 212 runs
Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images
