Pakistan Sports Journal

Misbah lead his side from the front as Test captain - photo from web

Another solid batting performance from Misbah-Ul-Haq and Azhar Ali helped Pakistan to draw the second Test and series against world’s no.2 South Africa.

Misbah scored his 3rd consecutive half-century in the series with determent Azhar Ali and in the end it was fighting effort from Pakistani batting line that draws-level the series for Pakistan.

Chasing 354 on the last day Pakistan got a good opening stand of 66 between inform Hafeez and Omar but after the lunch 3 wickets fell without scoring a run. From a position of 66/0 to 66/3 after the lunch was definitely the big challenge for Misbah and Azhar to save the Test match and both did it in style.

Misbah made 58* and Azhar Ali 28*, left arm spinner Paul Harris got 2 wickets and Johan Botha got 1 wicket of Taufeq Omar.

Jacques Kallis deservingly got the man of the series award for his brilliant batting and AB de Villiers was man of the match for his outstanding 278* in the first innings which got them out of the trouble.

Since the miraculous innings from Abdul Razzaq in the 2nd ODI of UAE series Pakistan fought very hard against the South African side.

Pakistan’s next assignment is another tough series against New Zealand in New Zealand so this is a good sign that Pakistan batting line is coming into good form before the World Cup and hopefully it continue to the World Cup.

Source : Pakcricketworld.com