South Africa’s cricketers were in sight of a crushing second Test victory over Pakistan on Friday but ended the third day in Dubai defending themselves against accusations of ball tampering.
The Proteas, seeking a series-levelling win, once again rocked Pakistan’s top order with three early wickets after compiling a mammoth 517 in their first innings for a huge 418-run lead at Dubai stadium.
At stumps, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq (42no) and Asad Shafiq (28no) had taken their side to 4-132, still needing a further 286 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
But South Africa’s bid to preserve their seven-year unbeaten away series record was tainted when they were docked five penalty runs after television replays showed Faf du Plessis apparently trying to tamper with the ball before Pakistan’s 31st over.
The two umpires, Rod Tucker of Australia and Ian Gould of England, called South African captain Graeme Smith for a warning, changed the ball and added five penalty runs to Pakistan’s total.
“Honestly, we’re not the team that scratches the ball,” said South Africa vice-captain AB de Villiers who earlier shared a record fifth wicket record partnership of 338 with Smith.
“We play in a fair manner. Obviously you want to swing the ball as much as you can and try to get it to reverse, putting sweat on the one side and stuff like that. We don’t cheat, it’s as simple as that,” added De Villiers.
“Honestly, I don’t know what happened, I don’t even know from where the message came. Obviously very surprised, there was no talk about it, no warnings, nothing. It was just out of nowhere.”
Officials are expected to announce further punishment on Saturday, the rules allowing for fines and/or bans.
Dale Steyn gave South Africa an ideal start when he removed Shan Masood with the fourth ball of the innings, having him trapped in front for nought.
It became two for two when Khurram Manzoor fell for his second duck of the match, caught off a miscued drive off Vernon Philander from the fifth ball of the second over.
Azhar Ali and Younis added 46 for the third wicket before part-time spinner Jean-Paul Duminy struck with his first ball, trapping Ali lbw with a low delivery for 19.
Younis, dropped on 28, was bowled for 38 by leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who took a career-best 5-32 to dismiss Pakistan for a paltry 99 in the first innings.
“We are definitely in a position to win the match,” added De Villiers.
Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal hoped his batsmen would fight until the end.
“We are struggling but nothing is impossible in cricket. If the batsmen apply themselves this pitch is still not bad for batting,” said Ajmal.
In the morning session, South Africa lost their last six wickets for the addition of 57 runs after resuming at 4-460. Ajmal finished with 5-161 while paceman Mohammad Irfan took 3-102.
De Villiers (164) was the first man to go, caught behind off Irfan in the fifth over of the day.
He hit 17 fours and a six during a commanding 376-minute innings and completed an all-time South African fifth wicket record partnership of 338 with Smith.
Smith was finally caught in the slip by Younis off Ajmal.
Smith’s superb knock of 234 lasted 10 hours and 32 minutes during which he dominated Pakistan’s bowling, hitting 16 fours from 388 balls.
With Smith’s catch, Younis beat Javed Miandad’s Pakistan record of most Test catches of 93. It took him 86 Tests, 38 fewer than his illustrious countryman.
