Easy chase for SA

Despite Pakistan’s late effort yesterday, where the tail added over 100 runs and two wickets were grabbed before the close, South Africa recorded a comfortable win today.

The chase of 199 was made to look simple by Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, and an unbroken 119 partnership. They were brought together after the demise early in the day of nightwatchman Paul Harris. Both went about their innings in their own watchful styles, the run rate for their partnership hovered around 3 an over.

Had Mohammad Asif been bowling as well as he was on Friday it may have been a different story for Pakistan. Unfortunately though, he tired after a decent early spell allowing the batsmen to get in, and also bowled several no balls to leak valuable runs. The Pakistani fielding was also mediocre, they let several singles past them and put no pressure on the batsmen.

Kaneria bowled well at the start of the day, but Kallis and Amla soon began to play him well as they advanced towards their half centuries. Amla had a couple of nervous moments early on, but these were the closest Pakistan came to a wicket.

With no further trouble, the home side cruised to a comfortable victory, but this was marred by the news that [a href=”http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=3152″>Herschelle Gibbs received a two Test ban for racial abuse during the match.

Pakistan 313 and 302
Imran Farhat 60, Shahid Nazir 40
Shaun Pollock 3-60, Paul Harris 4-46

South Africa 417 and 199-3
Hashim Amla 64*, Jacques Kallis 60*
Mohammad Asif 2-56

South Africa win by seven wickets

Cricket Web Man of the Match: Ashwell Prince