Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Alias salvage draw against South Africa

Written By DNA Web Team | Updated:

Misbah and Azhar survived for the next 45.2 overs and added 87 for the fourth wicket to ensure the series ended 0-0 after the first Test was drawn in Dubai.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq shared a top-class rearguard partnership with Azhar Alias to help salvage a draw against South Africa in the second Test as the series ended in stalemate on Wednesday.                                           
 
Pakistan had slipped to a shaky 66 for three straight after lunch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium thanks to a devastating burst of three wickets for no runs in seven balls by spinners Paul Harris and Johan Botha.                                           
 
However, Misbah and Azhar survived for the next 45.2 overs and added 87 for the fourth wicket to ensure the series ended 0-0 after the first Test was drawn in Dubai.                                           

Misbah provided strong late resistance with his defiant 58 not out off 140 balls while Azhar was obstinance personified with a stubborn 28 not out from 135 deliveries.         
 
Pakistan wriggled off the hook after Botha trapped Taufeeq Umar, playing for turn, lbw for 30 in the second over after lunch with a delivery that just went straight on with the arm.                           
 
Paul Harris then struck twice in the next over, winning lbw decisions against Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Younis Khan (0), with both batsmen also falling to arm-balls.