Oct 25 2013: Graeme Smith, the South African captain, and AB de Villiers, his deputy, combined for a daunting, record, unseparated fifth-wicket partnership of 326 on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai on Thursday (October 24) as South Africa finished the day on 460 for 4, with a vast lead of 361 runs.
Smith, recently recovered from ankle surgery and looking considerably leaner after a tough pre-tour fitness regime, batted for more than 10 hours, passed 9,000 Test runs and notched his fifth double century in a dominant innings.
It is also the highest Test score this year.
De Villiers was dropped first ball by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off Mohammad Irfan and went on to punish the Pakistan attack, as he notched his 17th Test century despite suffering from cramps in the oppressive heat.
Just a single wicket fell on the second day as South Africa scored 332 runs in the three sessions, moving on considerably from their overnight tally of 3 for 128.
Nightwatchman Dale Steyn was the only wicket to fall on Thursday, bowled by Irfan without offering a shot for 7 in the first session before lunch.
The Proteas now have the option of continuing to bat on the third day on Friday or declare early and put Pakistan in to bat for its second innings, after it was dismissed for 99 in the first innings.
Pakistan leads the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Abu Dhabi last week.
Smith, recently recovered from ankle surgery and looking considerably leaner after a tough pre-tour fitness regime, batted for more than 10 hours, passed 9,000 Test runs and notched his fifth double century in a dominant innings.
It is also the highest Test score this year.
De Villiers was dropped first ball by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off Mohammad Irfan and went on to punish the Pakistan attack, as he notched his 17th Test century despite suffering from cramps in the oppressive heat.
Just a single wicket fell on the second day as South Africa scored 332 runs in the three sessions, moving on considerably from their overnight tally of 3 for 128.
Nightwatchman Dale Steyn was the only wicket to fall on Thursday, bowled by Irfan without offering a shot for 7 in the first session before lunch.
The Proteas now have the option of continuing to bat on the third day on Friday or declare early and put Pakistan in to bat for its second innings, after it was dismissed for 99 in the first innings.
Pakistan leads the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Abu Dhabi last week.
