Determined resistance by the Pakistan tailenders took them to 412 for eight and past the follow-on mark at lunch on the fourth day of the second test against South Africa at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Tuesday. Pakistan resumed on 317 for six, needing 385 to avoid the follow-on, and it was left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman who did the bulk of the work as he scored a career-best 41 not out.
Number 10 batsman Tanvir Ahmed, who took six wickets on debut in the South Africa innings of 584 for nine declared, weighed in with 30 not out in an unbeaten ninth-wicket stand of 59 with Rehman. Pakistan made the worst possible start to the day when captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who had scored 77 and was the batsman his team were most relying on, fell to the first ball of the day, trying to drive a Dale Steyn in-swinger and being trapped lbw.
Umar Gul scored a useful 21 before left-arm spinner Paul Harris won a marginal lbw decision to leave Pakistan on 353 for eight. Misbah's overnight partner Rehman enjoyed some early luck, but batted through the session, taking Pakistan to the follow-on mark by hammering Harris for six over long-on.
Tanvir played some magnificent swashbuckling drives, collecting six fours off 40 balls as Pakistan kept the scoreboard ticking over despite the early setback and the pressure of the situation. Steyn had taken four for 98 in 29 overs and Harris three for 97 in 43 overs.The first test in Dubai was drawn, with Pakistan scoring 343 for three in the fourth innings to save the game.
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