2.2. Ajmal puts South Africa in a spin

Ibrahim Moiz
15/2/2013

Pakistan seized control of the Cape Town Test after a masterful spell from wily off-spinner Saeed Ajmal snipped out South Africa’s top five, leaving the home side at 139 for 5 after Pakistan had survived a Vernon Philander special on his home ground to post a competitive 338.

Ajmal’s superb control over his variations, complemented with some purchase on a dry pitch, outwitted the accomplished home top order; despite some typically shoddy umpiring from the woefully out-of-form Steve Davis, Pakistan used their reviews cannily as Ajmal took each of the five wickets to go. Earlier the feisty off-spinner had also been involved in an important ninth-wicket stand of 54 with Tanvir Ahmed, giving Pakistan the edge despite a typically impeccable spell from the skilful Philander.

The reliable Philander’s accuracy and sting struck out three important wickets early; overnight centurion Asad Shafiq failed to add a run, Sarfraz Ahmed fended low to a swooping Alviro Petersen in the slips, and Umar Gul played around a straight ball. From 253 for 4 late last evening Pakistan had stumbled to 268 for 8, but Tanvir—returning from the wilderness after two years—took the opportunity to show his mettle.

The field was scattered as Tanvir, and early on his partner Ajmal, climbed into some solid blows, standing tall to thump through the line. While the stubborn Ajmal dug in his heels Tanvir struck a valuable 44 to swell Pakistan’s score well beyond 300 before holing out off off-spinner Robin Peterson, who then beat a gusty swipe from the gangling Mohammad Irfan to complete the innings.

South Africa’s reply was cagey from the start—Graeme Smith dropped by Younus Khan early angling at Umar Gul—but it only really hit the skids with Ajmal’s arrival. Smith, who had forced some meaty blows through the on-side off Gul, and Petersen, who never really had to play off Tanvir, fell in quick succession to the crafty off-spinner, whose expert accuracy and biting off-spin from either side of the stumps quickly enabled Pakistan to tighten the field. Getting some grip, variable bounce and sharp spin, Ajmal put on a clinical exhibition of off-spin to shackle the home side.

An excellent review had Smith leg-before on an awkward sweep, before Petersen was brilliantly snapped low and one-handed at short leg by Azhar Ali, having already taken a similarly superb catch to remove Sarfraz off Philander in Pakistan’s innings (50 for 2). Ajmal’s exceptional control was instrumental in restricting South Africa’s middle order, as both Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis managed to dig in before they were teased out by the cunning spinner.

Ajmal’s off-break trapped Amla in the crease and du Plessis edged to Younus at slip, but the most eye-catching dismissal was that of Jacques Kallis, who was visibly disgruntled, reviewed the decision and hung around before plodding off. Umpire Davis, who has had a poor series, ruled him out caught bat-pad at short leg off Ajmal’s leaping off-break, but the review showed that while there was no edge, the ball was going on to snip the stumps; while it was clearly out, the difference between the umpire’s judgment and the actual mode of dismissal was bound to fuel debate. Though AB de Villiers—mixing staunch defence with some unnecessary experimentation—and Dean Elgar held out till stumps in an unbroken 30-run stand, Ajmal’s marvellous display had put Pakistan in the front seat.