Pakistan and S Africa draw series

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Misbah-ul-Haq hits an unbeaten 58 as Pakistan draw the second Test with South Africa and the series finishes 0-0. More... Pakistan draw Test series with South Africa Second Test, Abu Dhabi (day five): South Africa 584-9 dec & 203-5 dec drew with Pakistan 434 & 153-3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Misbah's patient 140-ball innings ensured a draw for Pakistan Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq struck an unbeaten 58 as his team secured a draw with South Africa in Abu Dhabi to share the two-match Test series 0-0. South Africa resumed 323 runs ahead at 173-4 and added 30 runs in six overs before declaring on 203-5 to set Pakistan a target of 354 in 82 overs. In reply, Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar shared an opening stand of 66. Misbah completed his seventh Test 50 as Pakistan reached 153-3 from 67 overs before the teams shook hands on a draw. Pakistan have only once achieved a score in excess of 300 to win when batting last - a slender one-wicket triumph against Australia in Karachi in 1994. They were heavily beaten 3-1 on their tour of England this year when they were bowled out for 80 or under on three occasions and three players, former captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, were suspended for allegations of match fixing. Their team in Abu Dhabi featured two debutants and three other players with 14 caps between them so it was a surprise to many when Graeme Smith decided to bat on in the morning session. Mark Boucher departed in the second over, bowled off the inside edge after an Umar Gul delivery nipped back and kept a fraction low. The lead passed 350 before the declaration came, but Pakistan openers guided their side to safety in a 90-minute session up to lunch. However, in the second over of the afternoon session spinner Johan Botha's flighted delivery on off stump went on and trapped Taufeeq leg before wicket as he pushed forward. Hafeez followed in the next over when a delivery from Paul Harris deceived him and he was also given out lbw. South Africa sensed an opportunity for victory when Pakistan's senior batsman Younus Khan was dismissed two balls later. Younus, with 17 Test centuries and 21 fifties, pushed forward expecting some turn but the ball from Harris went straight on and hit him in front of middle and leg as he became the third lbw of the innings. Misbah was quickly into his stride and moved into the 30's after taking 10 runs in four balls off slow left-armer Harris. Azhar Ali had made only eight from 57 balls when a thin edge from a Morne Morkel short ball flew between wicketkeeper and first slip. Misbah was hit in the box by Morkel but recovered his composure to record a gritty half century - his third in four innings in the series - in an unbroken stand of 87 with Ali before a draw was agreed upon. "There was no specific plan but I wanted to capitalise on the loose deliveries only," Misbah said. "Otherwise, the focus was clearly on staying at the wicket. "The three wickets that fell today showed that we still needed to apply ourselves and the way youngsters like Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali have performed, it is definitely a win for us." However South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis was furious with the benign surface at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and questioned its suitability for Test matches. "At a time when we are striving to keep the game alive, to play on such two wickets, I don't think that is good for the game," the 35-year-old said. "The pleasing thing was the way we went about our business. We put Pakistan under pressure for most of the series. One or two sessions perhaps we were not as good as we hoped but the pitch played a part in that. "But you have to give credit to Pakistan. I think we had them under pressure throughout but their youngsters came in and performed really well. Their cricket is looking positive."

[siddhu]

SA dropped the ball there. They could have pushed for a win at the end of day 4 but they didn't. Their negative attitude helped padosis.

[hari504504]

must say well played !...after the zillionth captain change...banned bowlers..banned batsmen and runaway keepers..they still managed to keep a full-strength saffer outfit at bay for 5 days..twice!! Congratulations Pakistan!

[Ram]

What the heck were the Saffies upto there? They should have had the pedal to the metal late on day 4, looking for a close of play declaration or alteast try to surprise the Pakistanis by declaring first thing in the morning on day 5. But they seem to have causally sauntered along like as though they had no care in the world. The pitch might well could have been another one of those Asian bowler graveyards, but surely they could have tried harder. Maybe the Pakistanis should give the Saffies a dose of their own medicine and wonder aloud if this match was fixed. That isnt to even remotely imply that the Saffies fixed this match, but it give them a taste of what it feels like, to be called random names, like their ex-coach did to the Pakistanis.

[The Outsider]

Maybe the Pakistanis should give the Saffies a dose of their own medicine and wonder aloud if this match was fixed. That isnt to even remotely imply that the Saffies fixed this match, but it give them a taste of what it feels like, to be called random names, like their ex-coach did to the Pakistanis.

Don't worry. It's only a matter of time before some former Paki cracketer will go to Geo TV and say the above.

[ZodiaC]

Nah, I don't think SA would've won in any case. SA attack really looked toothless, partly because the pitch was flat. And about spinners, less said the better. Poyz played well, but no excuse for losing to the 2nd string poyz team - SA really going through some tough times.

[hatja_tau]

and with this SA lose some test ranking points. Now even in case of a 'highly unlikely' as$ whooping by SA of 3-0, we'd still stay numero uno!:giggle: But, well no need for that really, it'll be India's tour for sure!

[Hindustani]

SA dropped the ball there. They could have pushed for a win at the end of day 4 but they didn't. Their negative attitude helped padosis.

Haven't seen the match (has anyone ?) but looking at the scorecard, SA wouldn't had won the match even if they had declared overnight. dull series where batsmen pumped up their averages with notouts and no outcome

[Online]

moral victory for Pakistan