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January 11, 2007 (Link to Scorecard)

South Africa have managed to restrict Pakistan to 242 for 5 on the opening day of the first test match at Centurion. In a way, Pakistan caused their own downfall with atleast four bad shots resulting in four out of the five wickets that fell. The tourists couldn't push forward and take the game away despite a century partnership between Younis Khan and Yasir Hameed.

It is the short deliveries that seems to be the weapon used by the South African fast bowlers against the Pakistani batsmen who have been going for their hooks and pulls impulsively. It was a bold decision earlier on by Inzamam-ul-Haq to elect to bat first on a green wicket after winning the toss. His opening batsmen - Imran Farhat and Mohammad Hafeez stood up to the challenge put up by the seaming deliveries from Ntini and Andre Nel at the start. Andre Nel had come in for Dale Steyn which was the only change for SA. The Pakistanis packed their side with six specialist batsmen along with wicket keeper batsman, Kamran Akmal. That left them with three pacers including Mohammad Asif and the lone spinner in Danish Kaneria. The first session looked to go Pak's way but a rash square cut from Imran Farhat without getting on top of the bounce gave the first breakthrough for the fielding side which came in the 25th over. Farhat wasted his good start to score just 26. Imran Farhat's wicket fell with the score on 48 and his opening partner, Mohammad Hafeez joined him back in the pavilion in another two overs. Hafeez had got a rising delivery from Ntini to which he had no answer except to glove it behind for Mark Boucher who equaled Ian Healy's 366 dismissals with that catch. Hafeez made a patient 19 having played 80 balls. At lunch, SA looked a happier side having dismissed the two openers with the score on 64. 

The post lunch session was a fantastic one for the Pakistanis as they didn't lose a single wicket in the 29 overs bowled. The score had steadily moved onto 160 for 2 with Yasir Hameed and Younis Khan getting half centuries. The two right handers had joined together when Pakistan was at 50 for 2. For Younis Khan, it was his 18th test match fifty with this one being his first against the Proteas. This is in fact just the third match he is playing against SA. The 28-year-old Yasir Hameed with this innings has got his 8th fifty. After Tea, South Africa fought back by picking up three wickets. They first dislodged the settled pair of Younis Khan (68) and Yasir Hameed (65). Both batsmen were induced in playing the hook shot by Shaun Pollock and Andre Nel respectively. The third wicket partnership between Younis and Yasir was 133 runs worth.

The last wicket to fall in the day's play was that of Faisal Iqbal's. The no.6 batsman also fell playing the dreadful hook shot. This time it was Jacques Kallis's turn to get a wicket. In the end, Pakistan were brought to some degree of safety with Inzamam and Kamran Akmal engaged in an unbeaten 38-run stand. Inzamam is on 35 while Kamran is onto 18. Pakistan can put pressure on the homeside if they can bat out the morning session of the second day without losing too many wickets. Once they do that they can leave the rest to Mohammad Asif and co. to knock out the South African top order.

Mark Boucher playing his 100th Test

This test match is Mark Boucher's hundredth of his career. He has become the fourth South African player to achieve the feat after Gary Kirsten, Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis. But this is the 99th test match he has represented South Africa as he had also played the Super Series Test Match for Rest of the World against Australia. Boucher has also gone past Ian Healy's record for the most number of catches for a wicket keeper.
 

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