Duanne Olivier completed a career-best 6-37 as Pakistan were skittled for 181 by tea on day one of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion.
The first session belonged to Dale Steyn, who became South Africa’s leading wicket-taker when he removed Fakhar Zaman for 12.
The Pakistani batsmen struggled with the pace and bounce produced by the Proteas seamers as they limped into lunch on 76-4.
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Olivier opened up the match in the Proteas’ favour after the break, removing danger man Azhar Ali for 36, followed by Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed for a duck after he chopped a short delivery on to his stumps. This took him to his best Test figures, having already taken two wickets before lunch.
Pakistan lost their top six for 86 runs, and Olivier completed his maiden five-for by bowling Mohammad Amir (one) as the visitors lost their seventh wicket for 96 runs.
Pakistan managed to pass the 100-run mark, but Rabada’s second wicket reduced them to eight wickets down for 111. Yasir Shah was fooled by a yorker and trapped lbw for four.
Babar Azam battled through the pressure and managed to reach his 10th Test half-century, adding further valuable runs to the visitors’ total. He was the one bright light in the Pakistan innings as he displayed his skills by hitting 10 boundaries off three Steyn overs that included straight drives, cover drives, pull shots and cuts.
Hasan Ali played his part by contributing 20 runs to a 67-run partnership that was ended by Rabada when he dismissed Babar for 71 off 79 balls.
Olivier wrapped up the Pakistan innings by dismissing Shaheen Afridi as the visitors were skittled for 181.
Pakistan innings 181 (Babar Azam 71, Azhar Ali 36; Duanne Olivier 6-37, Kagiso Rabada 3-59, Dale Steyn 1-66).
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
