Cape Town (Web Desk): Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed hit a spirited half-century but could not prevent South Africa’s fast bowlers taking control on the opening day of the second Test at Newlands on Thursday.
Duanne Olivier continued his bowling heroics for South Africa with four wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 177 at tea.
The imposing Olivier returned figures of 4-48 to add to the 11 wickets he took in last week’s first Test in Pretoria which South Africa won by six wickets.
Pakistan were nine wickets down at the scheduled tea break, which was delayed by 14 minutes until the last wicket fell.
Opener Imam-ul- Haq scored eight and Fakhar Zaman one. Similarly, middle order line up also failed to pile up a good score on the board. Azhar made two, Asad Shafiq 20, and Babar Azam only manage to score two after asked them to bat first.
The hosts won the first Test in Pretoria by six wickets inside eight sessions as both bowling attacks found conditions to their liking with seam movement, and at times steep bounce.
Pakistan are bolstered by the return of pacer Mohammad Abbas, who missed the first Test with a shoulder injury.
He has made a remarkable start to his Test career with 61 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 16.62.
Seamer Vernon Philander is back for South Africa. He has 49 wickets at an average of 16.55 at Newlands.
South Africa have won all three previous Tests against Pakistan at Newlands and have only lost four times in 24 matches against the sub-continent side at all venues.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt/wk), Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Theunis de Bruyn, Faf du Plessis (capt), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier
