Pakistan Close in on S Africa Total

Maiden Test Century
By SS
October 25 2003

Pakistan are in the driving seat in Faisalabad after day 2. Another wonderful century stand by Taufeeq and Imran means that they are only 41 runs behind with 8 wickets in hand. Imran is still there unbeaten on 123 along with Inzi on 16.

After the one day series against South Africa, had anyone said that the Pakistani openers would share three consecutive century stands against the same opposition, they would quite correctly be called insane and somebody who knows nothing about cricket.

Instead we have witnessed two young left handers making their mark against bowlers who have in the past generally had their own way. Pollock, Ntini and Kallis have all enjoyed a lot of success against previous frail Pakistan batting line ups and were probably expecting more of the same in this test series.

Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umer have eventually made their way to being first choice openers for Pakistan, but it has been a long and winding road for them. Taufeeq has made a welcome return to the team after knee injury and Imran has finally been given a chance after some very mediocre and inept displays by the likes of Mohamed Hafeez.

Taufeeq is the more technically correct and solid of the two lefties, leaving the ball well outside his off stump, playing with a lovely straight bat and trying to show the makers name to the bowler at all times. His bat sponsors must be very proud of him, because he plays beautifully straight and the logo is always visible. Taufeeq is an aggressive little customer who does not mind staring back at the bowler and has on the odd occasion said a few words after he has just smashed the bowler to the boundary. Taufeeq also like a lot of Pakistani players loves the ball on his legs, some of his drives through mid wicket have been exquisite.

Imran, a Pakpassion favourite for quite a while now, plays the cover drive like David Gower did at his peak. The ball tends to whistle off Imrans bat when he has middled it. The South Africans have tried to concentrate on bowling outside Imrans off stump, in the hope that he would play a rash stroke, but his judgement in the current innings has been impeccable. Imran is severe on anything loose and although occasional rushes of blood occur, here is a talented young man who can make a real impression for Pakistan in both versions of the game.

An opening attack of Shabbir Ahmed and Abdul Razzaq must have given Pakistani fans a few sleepless nights, but backed by Danish Kaneria and Mushtaq Ahmed, they have performed admirably in the second test. Restricting a long batting line up like South Africas to 278 was a wonderful achievment and after day 2 Pakistan are only 41 runs behind with 8 wickets in hand.

It was a solid batting display today from the Pakistanis and they have given themselves every chance of winning the series and even this test match. I think they should bat solidly tomorrow until tea and attempt to lose as few wickets as possible. After tea they can have a real go for quick runs in the hope that they could secure a lead of perhaps 200 and then give the South Africans a few uncomfortable overs before close of play. However on the other hand Pakistan could kill the game off and just try to bat as long as they want in an attempt to totally demoralize the opposition and give the tourists no chance of victory.

Whatever approach the Pakistanis adopt, it must be said the ball is nicely in Pakistans court.