Pakistan vs South Africa: Manzoor leads a strong Pakistan reply with his maiden Test century

Pakistan’s opener Khurram Manzoor (R) bats during the second day of their first Test against South Africa at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on October 15, 2013.

With a lead of 14 runs and two settled batsmen in Khurram Manzoor and Misbah-ul-Haq at the crease on a good batting track, Pakistan ended the second day of the first Test match against South Africa at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in a position of strength.

Resuming the day on 245/8, South Africa were skittled out for 249. Mohammad Irfan picked up Hashim Amla, whose 118 off 252 deliveries had played a crucial role in saving the face of the visitors yesterday, with a delivery that was angled away from over the wicket while Saeed Ajmal deceived Dale Steyn with a doosra.

Apart from a few nervy moments against Dale Steyn, Pakistan openers Khurram Manzoor and Shan Masood looked fairly comfortable in negotiating the South African pace attack. Pakistan went into the lunch break with the scoreboard reading 77/0 in 22 overs.

As the innings resumed, both the openers brought up their half-centuries. Jean-Paul Duminy finally broke the 134-run partnership by trapping Shan Masood (75) plumb in front with a delivery that held its line from around the wicket.

Despite the loss of back to back wickets in quick successions – Azhar Ali (11), edging an out-swinger from Vernon Philander to AB de Villiers, and Younis Khan (1) bounced out by Morne Morkel – Pakistan temporarily kept off the visitors from entertaining any possibilities of a comeback.

Manzoor and Misbah-ul-Haq put together an unbeaten 75-run partnership for the fourth wicket, taking their team to 263/3. Manzoor, who registered his first international century in his 10th Test match, remained unbeaten on 131 with Misbah on 44 not out.

While the seamers struggled to get the better of the Pakistan batsmen on a wicket that did not have much for them, Robin Peterson had a day to forget conceding 79 runs off his 18 overs.