Pakistan’s Fawad Alam (2R) celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) next to his teammate Faheem Ashraf (L) during the second day of the first cricket Test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on January 27, 2021. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Proteas latest | Fawad Alam leads Pakistan fightback in Karachi

Resuming at 33-4, Pakistan’s recovery was led by centurion Fawad Alam (109), Faheem Ashraf (64) and Azhar Ali (51).

by James Richardson

27-01-2021 15:55

in International

Pakistan were 308 for eight at close of play Wednesday on the second day of the opening Test against South Africa in Karachi.

Fawad Alam puts Pakistan on top

Resuming at 33-4, Pakistan’s recovery was led by Fawad Alam (109), Faheem Ashraf (64) and Azhar Ali (51).

South Africa were all out for 220 in their first innings with Pakistan currently sporting an 88 run lead.

Late in the day Keshav Maharaj thought he had the wicket of Hasan Ali but the decision was overturned after replays showed he had overstepped.

Proteas let it slip

Azhar and Fawad advanced Pakistan’s cause on the second morning but the hosts still looked in deep trouble when the former was dismissed by Maharaj.

Fawad shared a fifty partnership with Mohammad Rizwan and then put on 102 with Faheem Ashraf to put the hosts on top before he departed.

Hasan Ali and debutant Nauman Ali further frustrated the Proteas bowlers with their resistance late in the day. Every run the Pakistan tail can add will come as a hammer blow to the touring South Africans who might have hoped for a slender first innings lead but now face an incerasing deficit.

The two-match series marks South Africa’s first trip to Pakistan in 14 years, after a deadly 2009 attack on Sri Lanka’s team halted visits by foreign sides.