Pakistan in trouble against South Africa
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Pakistan failed to capitalize on a fine opening stand and were struggling at 140 for 4 in 37 overs by the close of the play in first innings on the second day of the second test against South Africa here on Tuesday at Gadaffi stadium.
Pakistan opened its account in a style of twenty-20 cricket with regular opener Salman Butt (40) and make shift opener Kamran Akmal (52) demonstrating hard hitting for the much surprise of South African pace bowlers who were not looking forward to that kind of treatment. Out of form vice captain Salman returned to the form by anticipating hitting of boundaries from the start and found a perfect partner in keeper Akmal who justified as an opener, both sharing 90 runs for the opening stand to give their side a flying start and to cause panic for touring team.
At this stage it looked that Pakistan is all set for a big total but things suddenly went bad to worst with the dislodging of pair and South Africa found themselves back into the game when leg spinner Paul Harris sent packing both the openers.
As soon as the partnership was broken Pak innings failed to blossom and depression gripped Pakistani team. Salman attempted a sweep and Smith held a top edge in fine leg amid jubilation as Pak were 90 for 1 in 20.4. Salman cracked 7 fours in 68 balls. Reliable batsman Younis Khan’s off stump was knocked back by pace man Nel as the batsman who just scored three runs mistimed a sharp delivery and Pakistan fell at 93 for 2 in 21.1. That was not the end of trouble. Kamran who stroked 7 boundaries misjudged a flighted delivery off Harris and Smith divided forward for a catch and sent Pakistan at 99 for 3 in 24.2 overs.
After such a fascinating start the middle order batsmen failed to realize the situation and wickets kept on falling and this time Muhammad Yousaf ( 25 with three fours) was the victim lbw by pace man Dale Steyn and South Africa ripped the heart out of Pakistani batting leaving them struggling at 123 for 4 in 31.5 and much was left on former captain Inzamam ul Haq to salvage the pride of the team.
At stumps Inzamam and Misbah were notout at 10 runs each. Harris got two wickets for 33 runs as the play was called off 8 overs earlier due to poor light. Earlier Pakistani bowlers failed to quell Protease tail which contributed valuable runs to lead their side to a decent total of 357 allout in 125.1overs as they resumed at overnight score of 259 for 6 in 83 overs.
Number seven overnight batsman Mark Boucher hit his 26th half century and number nine batsman Paul Harris smashed quick fired (46) to set the tone as Pakistani bowlers’ hopes to restrict the touring side at a affordable total vanished in the air. Boucher who is appearing in his 104th test, started at overnight score of (9) and handled Pakistani variety of bowlers with astute coolness and planning ,keeping one end alive as last four wickets fell with the addition of 98 runs. In the end it was paceman Umer Gul who mopped up the tail, finishing with three for 103 in 29 overs but it was leg spinner and chief wicket taker Danish Kaneria who got the needed break through taking the wicket of Boucher who effort for a big shot ended in frustration as Rehman took a catch at long on. Kaneria took four wickets for 114 runs after a marathon spell of 43.1 overs.
South Africa were 322 for 7 in110 overs at lunch and they suffered early setback losing wicket of overnight batsman Andre Nel in the first over of the play. The batsman who failed to open his account , made an unsuccessful effort to tackle a bouncer by pace man Umer Gul , off the fifth ball of his first over, giving a simple catch to Misbah ul Haq at short leg position.
Boucher who hit one six and four boundaries in 132 ball innings off 226 minutes thrived on a wicket which turned a batting paradise , adding 88 runs for the 8th wicket with Harris who got a new lease of life dropped at (34) by Younis in 2nd slips where the player dived to full length to take a difficult catch.
As the match progressed and the partnership gaining strength ,worries were on home side to stop the flow of runs to come out of pressure. Pakistani bowlers came into the post lunch session with a renewed pledge and gradually turned the things in their way first by separating the pair.