Misbah, Azhar stand tall to draw test and series against S.Africa

ABU DHABI:Captain Misbahul Haq and Azhar Ali stood tall to draw the second test and the series against South Africa here in Abu Dubai Wednesday. Chasing a target of 354, Pakistan openers Hafeez and Taufeeq gave a solid start but a triple strike in two overs after the lunch break gave South Africa hope of winning the second Test. But captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s steady hand steered the match, and the series, in the direction of a draw. Pakistan raced to 66 without loss at lunch, but off-spinner Johan Botha provided the much-needed breakthrough by trapping Taufiq Umer leg-before for 30, before Harris trapped Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Younis Khan (nought) in his next over. But Misbah’s unbeaten 58 and Azhar’s 28 tumbled the South African hopes of clinching the series.