SA v Pakistan Test 2: South Africa win series 2-0

South Africa won the second Test by four wickets with a day to spare after dismissing Pakistan for 169 in the second innings on the fourth day at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 182, South Africa made 185 for six in 43.1 over with to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series having won the first Test in Johannesburg by 211 runs.

Dean Elgar who remained unbeaten on 14 hit the winning runs with a boundary to midwicket off Saeed Ajmal.

Ajmal gave Pakistan faint hopes of stopping South Africa's victory charge taking four for 51 and match haul of 10 for 147.

Hashim Amla steadied the South African ship during the run chase top scoring with a fluent knock of 58.

AB de Villiers (36) fell with 14 needed for victory while Faf du Plessis (15) was also dismissed with just two required to win.

But despite the early loss of Alviro Petersen, South Africa never looked in danger of collapsing like Pakistan who lost their last six wickets for 22 runs including three off three balls.

Graeme Smith added 53 runs for the second wicket with Amla who was also associated in a 62-run stand for the third wicket with AB de Villiers to lay the foundation for South Africa's victory.

Earlier, South Africa wrested back the initiative from Pakistan during a dramatic half hour before lunch.

Pakistan collapsed either side of the lunch break losing six wickets for 22 runs.

Irfan was the last man out in the sixth over after lunch caught by Petersen off Steyn who finished with three for 38.

Vernon Philander had the best return of four for 40 while Robin Peterson claimed three for 73.

Pakistan were cruising along at 147 for four in the second innings when the freak dismissal of Asad Shafique triggered a sensational collapse which saw them lose four wickets for nine runs.

Pakistan's batting unravelled during a dramatic phase of play which saw South Africa claiming three wickets in three balls though Philander was denied a hat-trick.

Peterson sparked the sensational collapse bowling Sarfraz Ahmed who did not offer a stroke to a sharp turning ball which pitched on leg.

Philander claiimed wicket of Azhar Ali caught behind for 65 while Umar Gul fell to a brilliant catch at gully by Alviro Petersen in consecutive deliveries as Pakistan tumbled to 152-8.

Graeme Smith who won in his 100th match as South Africa's Test captain said: "It was a tough Test. The conditions reminded me of the subcontinent. Ajmal's not the No.1 bowler for no reason. It's a quality bunch of guys. We were hoping to strike with the second new ball but Vernon struck for us. We turned it around in our first innings. Robbie's 84 really contributed well for us."

Robin Peterson who played a pivotal knock of 84 in South Africa's first innings was adjudged man of the match.

"I'm pleased we got over the line. All week the coaching staff had been hammering it to me to play with more positive intent. Everyone did their part, even though we missed Morne (Morkel). I've said it before that (Saeed) Ajmal is a genius. To take those wickets and not get the Man of the Match must be disappointing for him," he said.

Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq conceded Peterson swung the game with his knock but was pleased with their overall performance.

"Improved performance especially the batting. It was Peterson who took the advantage from us. If we had set 250 target that would have been tricky on this wicket," he said.

EVENING SESSION

Saeed Ajmal traps Faf du Plessis leg before to complete a match bag of 10 wickets, South Africa being unsuccessful in overtuning the decision with a review.

South Africa are 180-6 after 41.3 overs chasing a target of 182 on the fourth day of the second Test against Pakistan at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

AB de Villiers falls with South Africa needing just 14 runs for victory caught behind by Sarfraz Ahmed off Tanvir Ahmed for 36 of 45 balls hitting four boundaries in his knock.

Faf du Plessis opens his account with a beautiful cover drive to the fence.

He completes the over by whipping Gul for another boundary over mid wicket.

Saeed Ajmal has the last laugh after being whacked over mid off for a boundary in the previous delivery by bowling Hashim Amla who missed the line attempting to heave him out of the ground.

Amla made 58 off 96 with seven boundaries and added 62 runs for the fourth wicket with AB de Villiers.

South Africa are cruising to victory with Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers having added 58 runs so far for the fourth wicket.

Hashim Amla completes his 26th Test half century and seventh against Pakistan off 87 balls and contained six boundaries.

AB de Villiers has thrashed Ajmal over midwicket as South Africa are racing to victory.

The 50 partnership between Amla and AB de Villiers for the fourth wicket comes off 72 balls.

Hashim Amla has thumped Ajmal over mid on as South Africa's target is now 50.

AB de Villiers slams two consecutive boundaries of Irfan pulling him to midwicket and cutting the next ball to third man as South Africa close in on the target of 182.

Pakistan are unsuccessful with a decision review for a leg before appeal against AB de Villiers off Ajmal with replays showing the ball missing the stumps.

AB de Villiers has gone down on his knees and slammed Tanvir Ahmed majestically through extra cover for his first boundary.

Saeed Ajmal strikes to give Pakistan hope of a victory by trapping Jacques Kallis leg before with South Africa failing to overturn the verdict after a review.

Kallis made 21 off 30 balls with three boundaries having added 25 runs for the third wicket with Amla.

Kallis hits a beautiful straight drive to the boundary off Tanvir Ahmed as South Africa's target is now less than 100.

Jacques Kallis has hit two consecutive boundaries off Tanvir Ahmed driving on the offside.

Saeed Ajmal has bowled a maiden in the first over after the tea interval to Hashim Amla.

They need 116 runs more to win the match with eight wickets in hand and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

The third session of the fourth day will decide who will win the second Test with South Africa needing 116 runs while Pakistan need eight wickets.

Hashim Amla is unbeaten on 32 off 39 balls having hit five boundaries.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Pakistan finally get another breakthrough with Saeed Ajmal with Graeme Smith being adjudged leg before trying to sweep across the line and being rapped in front.

Smith made 29 off 39 ball with two balls adding 53 runs for the second wicket with Amla.

Hashim Amla has smashed two boundaries in the first over bowled by Hafeez on either side of the wicket.

Mohammad Hafeez comes into the attack as Pakistan try to spin out South Africa.

Hashim Amla has driven Gul square of the wicket for his third boundary as South Africa are in cruise control.

Hashim Amla has hit his first boundary cracking Irfan to cover point.

Graeme Smith has sliced Ajmal past backward point for his second boundary.

Saeed Ajmal has been introduced into the attack after seven overs.

Pakistan are third time lucky as Umar Gul traps Alviro Petersen leg before in the fourth over.

Alviro Petersen is caught at mid on by Saeed Ajmal off Irfan but it was declared a no ball as the towering left armer pacer had overstepped.

Irfan must be kicking himself after inducing Petersen to miscue a pulled shot to mid on.

Graeme Smith has clipped Umar Gul to the fine leg boundary for South Africa's first runs chasing a target of 182 to take a 2-0 lead in the Test series against Pakistan.

Irfan has bowled a maiden as Alviro Petersen survives a hosting opening over.

Pakistan are unsuccessful with decision review for a leg before against Alviro Peterson off Irfan who is asking questions in his opening over.

Mohammad Irfan opens the attack for Pakistan as South Africa beging chasing the target of 181.

Pakistan have been bowled out for 169 in 75.3 overs in their second innings in the fourth afternoon leaving South Africa a target of 182 to win the second Test at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

Pakistan collapsed in their second innings either side of the lunch break losing six wickets for 22 runs.

Irfan was the last man out in the sixth over after lunch caught by Petersen off Steyn who finished with three for 38.

Philander had the best return of four for 40 while Robin Peterson claimed three for 73.

Saeed Ajmal was bowled by Peterson in the first over after the lunch interval.
 
South Africa wrested back the initiative from Pakistan during a dramatic half hour before lunch on the fourth day of the second Test at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

Pakistan were cruising along at 147 for four when the freak dismissal of Asad Shafique triggered a sensational collapse which saw them lose four wickets for nine runs to go in for lunch at 157 for eight.

South Africa aided by a change of ball attacked with Dale Steyn, Philander and the deceptive spin of Robin Peterson.

Pakistan's batting unravelled during a dramatic phase of play which saw South Africa claiming three wickets in three balls though Philander was denied a hat-trick.

Peterson trapped Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq who swept straight to Smith at short fine leg to break a 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

The left-arm spinner sparked the sensational collapse bowling Sarfraz Ahmed who did not offer a stroke to a sharp turning ball which pitched on leg.

Philander took the big wicket of Azhar Ali caught behind for 65 while Umar Gul fell to a brilliant catch at gully by Alviro Peterson in consecutive deliveries as Pakistan tumbled to 152-8.

Peterson has figures of two for 64 while Philander has a return of four for 40 so far.

MORNING SESSION

Pakistan are crumbling having lost four wickets in 24 balls for just nine runs during a dramatic spell which began with the freak dismissal of Asad Shafiq while Sarfraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali and Umar Gul went in successive deliveries.

Pakistan are 157-8 after 70 overs continuing from their overnight 100-3 on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

Saeed Ajmal denies Vernon Philander a hat-trick by playing a solid defensive shot.

Umar Gul goes for a first ball duck with Alviro Peterson leaping at gully to take a superb catch off a thick edge.

Azhar Ali's wonderful knock comes to an end fishing at a delivery from Philander to be caught behind by AB de Villiers for 65.

Azhar faced 193 balls and hit nine boundaries during his almost five-hour vigil.

Sarfraz Ahmed virtually throws his wicket away offering no stroke to a delivery from Robin Peterson which goes on to rattle the stumps.

Ahmed did not know where his stumps were squaring shoulders as the ball pitched on leg and hit the middle stump.

Pakistan lose Asad Shafiq to a freak dismissal bowled by Philander after he played a defensive prod but the ball bounced to disturb his off ball.

Shafiq made 19 off 29 batting for 51 minutes during a knock which contained three boundaries.

Asad Shafiq attacks Philander punching him over backward point for a welcome boundary.

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq are playing the waiting game patiently waiting for the loose ball with Peterson trying to exploit the bowling footmark by bowling a legstump line.

Azhar Ali attacks Steyn executing a lovely cover drive to step up the tempo of the Pakistan innings who lead by 142 runs.

Asad Shafiq opens his account by despatching a low full toss from Peterson to midwicket and also pulls another one to boundary.

Azhar Ali is fortunate to stay alive after getting a thick edge of Steyn which falls just short of Kallis at second slip.

Misbah is gone falling to the trap laid by Robin Peterson sweeping the left arm spinner only getting a top edge to Graeme Smith at short fine leg.

Misbah made 44 off 111 balls with three sixes and four boundaries but may have blown Pakistan's hopes of setting a big target for South Africa.

It ended a promising partnership of 69 for the fourth wicket between Misbah and Azhar Ali.

Azhar Ali completes his 14th Test fifty and fourth against South Africa by driving Philander for a couple of runs.

It came off 150 balls and contained six boundaries.

South Africa are unsuccessful with a decision review appealing for a catch off Misbah ul Haq who got a bottom edge off Peterson which bounced off the ground into Kallis.

Misbah is taking on Robin Peterson sweeping him to fine leg for the second boundary of the morning.

Misbah edges Philander through the slips for the first boundary in the fourth over of the day.

Vernon Philander also bowls a fine over as Misbah ul Haq plays and misses fishing tentatively outside the off stump.

Dale Steyn opens proceedings on day four by sending down a maiden to Misbah ul Haq.

Pakistan will be aiming to drive home the advantage and set South Africa a difficult target when they resume on 100 for three in their second innings on day four of the second Test at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.

The visitors aiming to square the series after having lost the first Test by 211 runs, are ahead by 112 runs with Azhar Ali (45) and Misbah ul Haq (36) getting on top of the South African attack.

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