LAHORE, 22 October 2003 — Pakistan took just 41 balls to complete an eight-wicket victory over South Africa in the first Test yesterday, their first-ever home Test win over the South Africans.
Pakistan resumed on 137 for one, requiring 24 more runs for victory, and needed only 24 minutes to get them as they finished on 164 for two.
Shoaib Malik hit South Africa captain Graeme Smith to the mid-wicket boundary for the winning runs.
Taufeeq Umar was the only wicket to fall on the final day, the opener completing a fine match in his comeback following a knee injury. Umar, declared joint man-of-the-match with spinner Danish Kaneria, followed up his 111 in the first innings with a powerful 63 off 114 balls, including nine fours. The left-hander was unlucky to be bowled by a ball from spinner Paul Adams, who conceded 57 runs from 11 overs.
Pakistan’s only other Test win over South Africa was in 1998 in Durban when fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar took five wickets.
For South Africa it was their second successive Test defeat after losing to England at the Oval in September to allow the hosts to draw the series 2-2.
The foundation for Pakistan’s victory was laid on the fourth day when Akhtar and Kaneria wrecked South Africa’s batting.
Taufeeq and Imran Farhat (58) then added a quickfire 134, setting a new record by posting their second century stand of the match, the first time in 296 Tests that Pakistan enjoyed century opening partnerships in both innings.
Smith said his team had under-performed. “We let ourselves down,” he said. “We didn’t bowl well. We need to regroup now to square this series.
“I think the fourth morning was a crunch session for us and we gave it away to Pakistan and came under pressure.”
Pakistan’s stand-in skipper Yousuf Youhanna said the youngsters had lifted the team. “Although they were great performances from Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria, Taufiq Umar and Shoaib Malik, it was a totally team effort from us,” he said. “I think we played better on this wicket.”
Umar said he had enjoyed batting on a good wicket.
“It was a pressure match for me since I was coming back after a injury. But I enjoyed batting with Imran Farhat,” he said. “Our bowlers did a wonderful job on this wicket and laid the foundation for victory.”
South Africa made 320 in their first innings and 241 in the second. Pakistan scored 401 in their first innings. The second and final Test starts on Friday in Faisalabad.
Youhana Out of Second Test Against South Africa, but Inzamam Returns
Pakistan’s injury problems continued yesterday as stand-in captain Yousuf Youhana was ruled out of the second Test against South Africa.
However the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that team captain Imzamam ul-Haq would return after missing the first Test, which ended yesterday in Lahore with an eight-wicket victory for Pakistan.
“Youhana will miss the second Test starting from Friday at Faisalabad because of a hamstring injury and he could aggravate it if he continues to play,” PCB spokesman Samiul Haasan told reporters.
Inzamam, who missed the first Test because of a hamstring injury, has regained full fitness and will lead the Pakistan side, Hassan said.
Uncapped leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq have been included in the 18-man squad for the second Test.
The PCB hopes that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, banned for one Test and two One-Day Internationals, will feature in the second Test if his appeal against the ban is upheld by the International Cricket Council. Shoaib was banned on charges of using abusive language against South African batsman Paul Adams during first day’s play in the first Test on Friday.
