****Official****Pakistan in South Africa

[smash84]

awta....i don't think this wicket will become a minefield by day 5

 

[Xuhaib]

I know Smali is the resident pessimist but I would like to join the party here. What a horrible day AB drop catch set the tone and then allowing RP to score 84 was crimnal the openers showed no ticker falling to some basic stuff only an Ajmal moment of genius can save the game and don't get me started on Umer Gul the bastard has not shown up for ages.

 

[Howe_zat]

What an awesome session after tea, really good bowling and brilliant batting, if Pak can keep going to lunch without losing more than a wicket they should be big favourites.

But I still think we can chase up to 300 on this wicket.

Hanging on how many they score, obvs. I don't think Pakistan are likely to step on it and if they get more than 80 in the session I'd be very surprised.

The main thing holding the odds on Pakistan out right now is there's very little batting to come.

I'd mark SA as favorites chasing anything up to about 250-275. They bat deep and there's been very little got out of the pitch, all the damage so far coming from the new ball for the hosts and Ajmal's jiggery pokery for the visitors.

 

[M0rphin3]

Pitch is keeping low and turning actually. 250 max might be chasable - but 275-300 and Pak should be favorites.

 

[hendrix]

This next day is going to make excellent viewing. Steyn will be fired up because he knows the match depends on SA getting a chase-able total.

 

[Burgey]

Delicately poised.

 

[grecian]

Delicately poised.

Yeah, twists and turns all over the place, why Test cricket is the best.

 

[benchmark00]

Why is Francois batting at four?

 

[Prince EWS]

Why is Francois batting at four?

Kallis bowled more overs than they wanted him to in the first innings so they slid him down to five to give him a rest.

I'm not even joking.

 

[Pothas]

Kallis was too tired. (Selfish etc. etc.)

 

[benchmark00]

Ridiculous.

 

[Burgey]

If he can't do his job he should retire. Selfish ****.

 

[Briony]

Because of Morkel's injury, Kallis's workload with the ball increased so du Plessis had to move up the order. Pakistan is in the box seat if it doesn't lose quick wickets. Think SA's decision to insert will ultimately what hurts them. Unfortunately they just misread the conditions which seem to be more suited to Pakistani strengths than their own. At least 1-1 sets it up nicely for Centurion where Morkel will have to be replaced and demonstrates the evenness in world cricket atm.

 

[Cabinet96]

Ridiculous.

Tbf, I do remember there was talk about his hamstring at the time. Might have just flared up ever so slightly and they wanted to make sure he was OK.

 

[benchmark00]

Tbf, I do remember there was talk about his hamstring at the time. Might have just flared up ever so slightly and they wanted to make sure he was OK.

I don't mind them resting him if his work load has been exceeded because its smart to manage players, especially ones as important as Kallis given his age, but they rested him for an extra 18 runs. What would have happened if Francois got out first ball? Send him in and be resigned to the fact they compromised the position both Kallis and Faf bat best?

 

[Cabinet96]

I doubt they would have done it simply to give him a bit of rest. They were probably slightly worried about his hammy and thus would have continued to promote batsman until they were sure he was alright to bat. Weird situation though.

 

[Prince EWS]

I doubt they would have done it simply to give him a bit of rest. They were probably slightly worried about his hammy and thus would have continued to promote batsman until they were sure he was alright to bat. Weird situation though.

Nah Firdose Moonda made a tweet confirming there was no injury concern and that they were doing it just to give him a bit of a rest.

 

[Rasimione]

Get rid of Misbah and we will blow them away. I hope Philander bowls a few gems today. anything 250 we should win. as for Ajmal if Smith is still batting when he comes to bowl, we going to see a hell of a match.

 

[smash84]

Misbah isn't that great technically but he is willling to grind it out...........I hope him and Azhar don't fall at the beginning of the day but go on to have a huge partnership

 

[smash84]

btw does anybody think that this pitch will deteriorate further and will offer more help to the spinners as the game goes on?