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South Africa ahead after Tahir wrecks Pakistan

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AFP Dubai
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir came to haunt the country of his birth, Pakistan, by claiming a maiden five-wicket haul to give South Africa an early control of the must-win second Test today.

The 34-year old finished with a career best 5-32 while fit-again paceman Dale Steyn took 3-38 to bundle Pakistan out for 99 all out in 36.4 overs at Dubai stadium before South Africa finished the day on 128-3.

They lead by 29 runs and enjoyed a good day in their bids to level the two-Test series after losing the first game by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi last week.
 

Graeme Smith was unbeaten on 67 and nightwatchman Steyn was three not out.

Smith, who looked rusty in Abu Dhabi, hit spinner Saeed Ajmal for two consecutive boundaries to bring up his half-century as well as taking his team past Pakistan's total.

In the morning session Pakistan's top-order batsmen were so dismal that number nine Zulfiqar Babar top-scored with 25 not out and opener Shan Masood made 21. Of the six boundaries in the innings, Babar hit three and Masood one.

This is the 16th time that Pakistan were bowled out for below 100 in a Test innings.

It brought back memories of Pakistan's same total against then world number one England at the same venue in 2012, although they went on to win the Test in the end.

But a ruthless South Africa, now the world number one Test side, looked in no mood to concede the early advantage as they now look set for a big first innings lead.

Smith and Dean Elgar, replacing Hashim Amla -- who failed to come back after returning home for the birth of his child -- added 54 before Ajmal had Elgar for 23.

Pakistan also removed opener Alviro Petersen for 26 and Jacques Kallis (seven) on a day when Tahir gave Pakistan a dose of their own spin medicine.

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First Published: Oct 23 2013 | 7:42 PM IST

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