Maharaj takes 7 wickets with SA-Pakistan Test in balance

AFP, Rawalpindi :

South Africa (SA)’s Keshav Maharaj took seven wickets before the visitors ground their way to 185-4 to leave the second Pakistan Test in the balance on Tuesday in Rawalpindi.

The left-armer Maharaj took 7-102 for his 12th five-wicket Test haul to help bowl Pakistan out for 333 on a spin-friendly pitch.

Veteran Pakistan debutant spinner Asif Afridi then grabbed the crucial wickets of Tony de Zorzi (55) and Dewald Brevis for nought to restrict South Africa in their reply.

At close on day two Tristan Stubbs was batting on 68 having added an invaluable 113 runs for the third wicket with De Zorzi, who scored a polished half-century to lift the visitors from 54-2.

When it looked like the pair would stabilise the innings the 38-year-old spinner Asif trapped De Zorzi leg-before and earned his first wicket on review.

In his next over he had Brevis caught in the slips without scoring.
Kyle Verreynne was the other unbeaten batter at the close, on 10, with South Africa trailing by 148 runs as they attempt to square the series after losing the first Test in Lahore by 93 runs.

Asif has figures of 2-24 while Sajid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi took a wicket apiece.

In South Africa’s reply fast bowler Shaheen struck early to remove Ryan Rickelton caught behind for 14.