Close – Pakistan 263-3
A energetic maiden hundred from Khurram Manzoor took Pakistan beyond South Africa’s first innings total and even, dare anyone say it, in a position of some strength as another compelling day in Abu Dhabi came to a close. The advantage was not as imposing as it could have been, as South Africa took two important wickets, but at 263 for 3 for, 14 runs ahead, Pakistan will be ecstatic.
The glue through the afternoon was Manzoor. He continued much as he had played all day. He attacked Robin Peterson and South Africa’s other part-time spinners unrelentingly and picked risk-free runs off the rest of the attack.
It was Peterson who helped him through the nineties, heaved twice in succession over midwicket to move from 91 to 99. A firm punch for two through the offside – and his offside play was wonderful throughout – brought up the first hundred by a Pakistani opener against South Africa since 2003.
His serenity was all the more significant given that South Africa were at their most incisive this session. Vernon Philander produced a lovely outswinger to continue Azhar Ali’s poor Test run.
Soon after Morne Morkel produced the ball of the match so far, a snorter headed for Younis Khan’s throat that the batsman could only glove to gully.
At that stage, still 71 runs behind, Pakistan could have wobbled. Not for the first time, though, out came Misbah-ul-Haq to steady them. Misbah’s was an important intervention, because he ensured the run-rate was kept up.
He swept and reverse-swept Peterson to distraction, eventually taking Pakistan into the lead. As he clipped the last ball of the day for four, to move to 44 and stretch an important partnership to 85, Pakistan were in the ascendant.
Afternoon – Pakistan 155-1
A new opening pair and new success. Shan Masood and Khurram Manzoor put on Pakistan’s highest opening stand since January 2012 to put their side in firm control of the first Test against South Africa in Abu Dhabi.
Their 135-run stand was Pakistan’s first opening century partnership since the first Test against England in Dubai, 21 months ago and that effort by Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez has felt longer ago than that in the interim. It left Pakistan on 155 for one at tea, trailing by 94.
Progress through the session was mostly serene for the pair. The aggression of their first hour together in the morning had dissipated though it brought no discomfort in its stead. The debutante Masood was the more pleasing, unveiling a impressive array of controlled strokes, none more so than an elegant clip off his pads off an irritable Dale Steyn a few overs after lunch.
Boundaries were scarcer, but the pair continued their sharp, aggressive running and soon both were bringing up impressive fifties just before drinks, as well as the century stand. Both picked off South Africa’s spinners, an upright backfoot punch from Masood off Robin Peterson particularly eye-catching.
Just when the thought of a century might have begun to enter Masood’s mind, however, he was gone, trapped leg-before by JP Duminy of all bowlers. Azhar Ali and Manzoor ensured no further damage until the break and despite their solitary success, South Africa were beginning to look a little out of place in the heat of Abu Dhabi.
Morning – Pakistan 77-0
Pakistan worked their way into an unexpected position of strength on the second morning of the first Test against South Africa in Abu Dhabi.
It was unexpected on two counts: generally poor starters to a day or session, Pakistan dismissed South Africa swiftly within four overs and then built on it with a new opening pair, Khurram Manzoor and new boy Shan Masood taking them to 77 for no loss, 172 runs behind South Africa
When Manzoor and Masood took guard, they were Pakistan’s sixth different opening pair in the last seven Tests. But they played with the familiarity of a better-acquainted pair. They had a little luck early on; Jacques Kallis should have done better to a Masood edge off Dale Steyn. Manzoor edged between slips and gully.
But that was reward for a pleasantly positive approach. Masood thick-edged his first ball in international cricket for four, but the next ball pushed confidently through midwicket for three more. Later, he would pull Vernon Philander with authority. Manzoor was good company, pushing a couple of strokes confidently through covers.
There was good understanding as well, the pair picking up sharp singles whenever there was opportunity and as soon as the13th over, Pakistan had their first opening fifty partnership since June 2012.
Morne Morkel and Jacques Kallis slowed the scoring down after replacing Steyn and Philander and produced some nervy moments. But as South Africa brought on spin, Manzoor burst free again, three impeccable boundaries in the session’s last two overs emphasising Pakistan’s control.
That consolidated the start early on. Mohammad Irfan dismissed overnight centurion Hashim Amla with the day’s second ball, Younis Khan taking the catch at slip. That catch put Younis joint-top with Javed Miandad as Pakistan’s leading catcher, now on 93. Soon after Steyn’s brief flurry ended, stumped off Saeed Ajmal.
