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SA v Pak 2nd Test : Day 1

Saturday, October 25 2003

Herschelle Gibbs fell agonizingly short of eleventh Test hundred as he helped South Africa recover from deep trouble against Pakistan. Gibbs' 98 runs came off 219 balls and included thirteen (13) fours and one (1) six. He batted with composure and purpose even as wickets tumbled around him.

Upon winning the toss, the visitors elected to bat and soon began to regret it. Graeme Smith (2) Boeta Dippenaar (4) were both victims to young seamer Shabbir Ahmed as South Africa slipped to 20/2 within the first seven (7) overs of the day. They then slipped even further as allrounder extraordinaire, Jacques Kallis perished to Danish Kaneria for 10 - 40/3.

It was at this point that Gary Kirsten came to the crease to form a familiar partnership with Gibbs. The two batsmen added 108 runs in a solid and crucial partnership, as they have produced so many times over the years opening the batting. Eventually Kirsten was dismissed by Abdur Razzaq for 54 and Gibbs was trapped in front by Mushtaq Ahmed 47 runs later.

Kirsten's innings lasted just short of two and a half hours and saw 115 balls. He hit seven (7) fours.

With both batsmen in the significant partnership back in the pavilion, Pakistan saw a genuine opportunity to knock South Africa over for a very manageable total. They then made large steps toward doing so when Neil McKenzie (27) and Mark Boucher (27) fell within 24 runs of each other to Shabbir Ahmed and Razzaq respectively. The score stood at 236/7.

Pollock and Peterson put 11 more runs on the board, before the former was run out Shabbir Ahmed for 16. Ahmed then accounted for Peterson (4), the ninth wicket to fall on the days play. South Africa end day one of the second Test at 256/9.

Shabbir Ahmed proved the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan as his finished with 4/63 off his 22 overs. He was ably supported by Abdur Razzaq with 2/62.

Match Summary:

South Africa 1st innings 256/9 (91 overs)
(Herschelle Gibbs 98, Gary Kirsten 54, Neil McKenzie/Mark Boucher 27)
(Shabbir Ahmed 4/63, Abdur Razzaq 2/62)

Posted by Liam