Legspinner Imran Tahir came to haunt the country of his birth by claiming a maiden five-wicket haul to put South Africa in early control of the second Test against Pakistan on Wednesday.
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 in Dubai before South Africa finished the day on 3-128.
They lead by 29 runs and enjoyed a good day in their bid 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 No.9 Zulfiqar Babar top-scored with 25 not out, while 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 No.1 England at the same venue in 2012, although they went on to win that Test in the end.
But a ruthless South Africa, now the world No.1 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.
Tahir, playing his first Test since November 2011, dismissed opener Shan Masood (21), Misbah-ul Haq (two) and Akmal (nought) off just 11 deliveries to leave Pakistan in tatters at 60-6 by lunch.
Tahir commented: “It’s not that I wanted to show something, I just wanted to do well for the world’s best Test team.”
Born and brought up in Pakistan, Tahir qualified to play for South Africa in 2011 after marrying a local girl but has since taken time to establish himself in a country not known for spinners.
Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore showed anger over his team’s slump.
“It’s frustrating,” said former Australia batsman Whatmore.
“We knew they will come back hard but we orchestrated our own downfall with poor shot selection.”
