ABU DHABI // A new Test, a new opening partnership and the same old Pakistan, merrily turning around established orders when it might be least expected of them.
In Khurram Manzoor and Shan Masood, Pakistan were trying out a sixth opening pair in seven Tests, and it was entirely in keeping with the perverse nature of how their cricket unfolds that the pair put on a first opening-century stand in 21 months.
Manzoor ended the day unbeaten on 131 – the first hundred by a Pakistani opener since July 2012 and the first by an opener against South Africa since 2003.
Masood chipped in with an accomplished 75 on debut, and their 135-run stand went a long way in overhauling South Africa’s first innings of 249, leaving Pakistan 14 runs ahead with still some batting left.
Both were accomplished hands, aggressive in intent through to the afternoon. The running, in particular, suggested an old familiarity though that is not the case.
They have batted together only recently and infrequently.
“I’ve been to the West Indies with the Pakistan A team with Manzoor and we had a 100-run stand there,” Masood said. “We batted in Pakistan and had a 100-run stand as well.”
South Africa had a long day in the field once they had been dismissed early.
They did fight back in the last session with a couple of key wickets, before Misbah-ul-Haq played an important little hand to steer Pakistan safely to close.
But with a new ball in hand and fresher bowlers today, South Africa’s grip on the game might not yet be lost.
“This Test side has been in tough situations before,” their coach, Russell Domingo, said.
“They are now in one at the moment. The new ball is going to be crucial tomorrow. We are still very much in the game.
“We need to remind the players that they are the Non1 Test side in the world. They can call on their experiences and stay calm and try and get back into the game.”
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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Audio: Coach Domingo confident his side can turn things around
