Gary Kirsten led a solid South African fightback on Monday with an unbeaten half century on the fourth day of the second cricket test against Pakistan.
In an extended two-and-a-half pre-lunch session, the Proteas progressed to 224 for four in its second innings — an overall lead of 154. South Africa had conceded a 70-run lead after Pakistan scored 348 in reply to the visitors’ first innings of 278.
Kirsten was batting on a patient 70 off 167 balls while Jacques Kallis was 4 not out at the break.
Resuming on 140 for three, the visitors lost just one wicket when leg-spinner Danish Kaneria had Neil McKenzie (35) caught in the slips by Taufeeq Umer. Kaneria bowled a marathon spell of 19 overs with little success.
Kirsten and McKenzie put on 85 runs for the fourth wicket and denied Pakistan a wicket for well over two hours on a barren slow wicket. McKenzie pulled Kaneria for a four and a six off successive deliveries as South Africa crossed the 100-run lead mark.
Kirsten, 27 overnight, took well over an hour to complete his patient half century off 93 balls with seven fours.
Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq surprisingly used just three bowlers in the session — Kaneria, Shabbir Ahmad and Shoaib Malik — and didn’t give experienced leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmad and seamer Abdul Razzaq a chance. – Sapa-AP