Another brilliant session from the Proteas has left Pakistan in deep trouble at lunch on day three of the second Test in Cape Town, writes SIMON LEWIS.
The Proteas went out with a mandate for quick runs on the third morning of the second Test at Newlands, but quick-scoring Quinton de Kock could add just four runs to his overnight total before he was caught by Asad Shafiq off the bowling of Mohammad Amir for 59 off 78 balls.
All-rounder Vernon Philander chipped in with 16 runs off 29 balls, while the tail gave a brief wag to take the Proteas to 431 all out off 124.1 overs.
READ ALSO: Faf with 2018’s second-lowest Test captain’s average
Kagiso Rabada (11), Dale Steyn (13) and Duanne Olivier (10 – more than doubling his previous highest score in Tests) ensured that each and every Proteas player reached double figures in the innings.
For the much-vaunted Pakistan attack, it was a relief to return to the change room, especially in light of their first innings score of just 177.
Mohammad Amir (4-88 off 33 overs) and Shaheen Afridi (4-123 off 27.1 overs) picked up four-fors, while Mohammad Abbas (1-100 off 34 overs) and Yasir Shah (0-79 off 21 overs) impressed with their control and ability to challenge the Proteas batters, despite the huge first innings score posted by the hosts.
Dale Steyn came out to bowl in Pakistan’s second innings with a head of steam and promptly knocked over opener Imam-ul-Haq for six (caught by Dean Elgar at third slip) to leave Pakistan one down with 10 runs on the board.
Shortly after a rampant Kagiso Rabada trapped Azhar Ali leg before for six off 13 balls to leave Pakistan on 27-2 and with a mountain to climb if they have any hope of scratching a draw out of this Test.
With no sniff of rain in the air Pakistan are facing certain defeat because, in the face of such hostile bowling by the Proteas, it is unthinkable that their last eight batters will be able to make the Proteas return to the crease in this Test match, let alone have a hope of bowling them out in their second innings.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
