Pakistan face test of character at Wanderers
Against South Africa, the visitors need 297 more to win after collapsing to their lowest Test score of 49.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: February 04, 2013 12:26 PM IST
An undefeated century stand between skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (44) Asad Shafiq (53 not out) on Day 3 of the Wanderers Test on Sunday has kept Pakistan alive and kicking against South Africa. On Monday, the visitors have to show the same tenacity and application on a wicket where batting has not been difficult.
Having crashed to their lowest score of 49 in the first innings, Pakistan still need 297 runs with six second innings wickets in hand for a win. With rain forecast over the next two days, all three results are a possibility. ÂÂ
"Whatever happens from here, today (Sunday) should give all the players confidence for the remaining Two test matches in Cape Town and Centurion," Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore told reporters in Johannesburg.
"I thought the wicket settled down a bit too and what we wanted to do today was show better application. We did that and the players will have learnt a lot from this experience. Nine of our 11 for this Test have never played in South Africa with the red ball and so it is a big learning curve," the Aussie said.
Whatmore has been demanding more application from his players.
Debutant Nasir Jamshed got a piece of the coach's mind after getting out to a poor stroke. "He has been with our ODI team ever since I have been in charge and so you forget this is his Test debut. But I was not happy with him and told him so," he said.
Jamshed was a hero during the recent India versus Pakistan ODI and T20 series.
South Africa will certainly opt for pace when the new ball is due five overs into the fourth day.
AB De Villiers said: "The wicket is playing better, the ball is not going around as much as it was on the first two days. But we have a new ball coming up and we hope that will speed things up a bit."
All set for a pulsating Day 4!