Misbah, Shafiq take Pakistan to 183-4 in 1st test, still 297 short of beating South Africa

By Tristan Holme

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq shared an unbroken century stand for Pakistan on Sunday but South Africa remains well placed to wrap up the first test at the Wanderers inside four days.

The pair took Pakistan to 183-4 at stumps on the third day, still another 297 runs short of an unlikely victory, after batting through the first wicketless session of the match after tea.

Misbah was unbeaten on 44, while Shafiq had 53, but with the second new ball due in just five overs South Africa remains heavy favourite to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

The hosts would have been a couple of steps closer if not for a costly no-ball and a dropped catch in consecutive overs.

Shafiq was caught by Graeme Smith at slip on 40 off the bowling of Vernon Philander, only for the replay to confirm that the bowler had overstepped.

In the next over, Misbah slashed Jacques Kallis’ delivery straight to backward point but was put down by Robin Peterson.

A wicket for the four seamers had seen South Africa edge towards victory after declaring its second innings on 275-3 to set Pakistan 480 to win.

Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Philander and Kallis claimed a wicket each as the Proteas chipped away at Pakistan’s batting lineup.

Philander broke through before lunch when he had Mohammad Hafeez caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers for 2, and a sustained assault by all four pacemen after the break ensured a triple breakthrough in the second session.

Pakistan opener Nasir Jamshed had scored a brisk 39 in the first session, but added just six runs after lunch before he flicked Steyn’s delivery to Peterson at short mid-on.

Azhar Ali (18) was the next batsman to go, trapped lbw by Kallis, and Younis Khan followed when he edged Morkel’s delivery through to De Villiers for 15.

That left Pakistan on 82-4, before Misbah and Shafiq came together to share an unbeaten 101 stand.

12:22ET 03-02-13