Skipper Faf, Bavuma put SA in driver’s seat

CAPE TOWN, January 4 

Captain Faf du Plessis led from the front with a hard-earned century to give South Africa a commanding 205-run advantage at the end of the second day of the second Test against Pakistan here today. Du Plessis failed to score in either innings in the first Test in Pretoria last week, but made 103 in a 226-ball knock as South Africa piled up 382/6 in reply to Pakistan’s 177 all out on the opening day.

Pakistan will be up against it on Saturday when South Africa resume with Quinton de Kock on 55 and Vernon Philander on six as they look to press home their advantage. Du Plessis had to toil for his ninth Test century on an uneven pitch, hitting some superb shots through extra cover but also surviving a dropped chance, spilled by Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, when he was on 96. He was eventually dismissed by Shaheen Afridi, who finished the day with the best Pakistan figures of 3/112.

Temba Bavuma, who saw two reviews go his way, made 75 and it was his 156-run fifth wicket partnership with the skipper that enabled South Africa to take the game away from their opponents after losing two wickets early in the day. — Reuters

Brief scores: Pakistan 177; South Africa 382/6 (Du Plessis 103; Bavuma 75, de Kock 55*)