FAISALABAD, Pakistan, 26 October 2003 — Opener Imran Farhat struck a stylish, maiden century to put Pakistan in command at the close of the second day of the second Test against South Africa yesterday.
The 21-year-old Farhat, who shared in a record third successive first-wicket stand of a hundred for Pakistan with Taufeeq Umar, ended the day on 123 not out, having hit 17 fours in 216 balls.
That left the home side comfortably placed on 237 for two, just 41 behind South Africa’s first innings of 278 all out.
Farhat and Umar, with 68, put on 137 runs to become the first Pakistan opening pair to score century partnerships in three successive Test innings. The left-handed duo, who shared in stands of 109 and 134 in Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory in the Lahore first Test, experienced few problems against South Africa’s attack.
Both batsmen played and missed a couple of times early on against the new-ball duo of Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, but they were generally in control despite the heavy overcast conditions.
Umar, who scored 111 and 63 in Lahore, raced to his eighth fifty in 17 Tests from 124 balls. However Farhat was more aggressive, reaching his half-century with eight boundaries in 77 balls.
Although Umar fell six overs before tea, caught at mid-wicket after playing a loose shot against wrist-spinner Paul Adams, and Yasir Hameed was removed by Pollock for 21 in the final session, Pakistan dominated throughout the day. Farhat reached his maiden Test century when he played Adams behind square on the leg side, having struck 14 fours in 179 balls.
