Morkel Makes Five as South Africa on Top

Dubai: South Africa reasserted their control on the opening Test in Dubai with Johan Botha and Morne Morkel combining to run through Pakistan and earn their team a significant advantage which had been extended to 271 by the close.

South Africa progressed steadily to increase their lead after paceman Morne Morkel took a five-wicket haul.

South Africa reached 139-2 in their second innings at tea, having an overall lead of 271 after Morkel dismissed Pakistan for 248 with a sustained spell of fast bowling during which he took four wickets for ten runs in seven overs.

Hashi Amla, who misses ton in the first innings, was unbeaten on 44 with Kallis on 32.

The 26-year-old Morkel, who registered his third five-wicket haul in his 27th Test, helped South Africa take the last five Pakistani wickets in the space of 34 runs after they were 214-5 at lunch.

Morkel, who built on off-spinner Johan Botha's three wicket haul in the first session, fired with the second new-ball, removing Azhar Ali (56), Rehman (one), Wahab Riaz (five) and Saeed Ajmal (two) to finish with 5-54.

His effort gave South Africa, who made 380 in the first innings, a lead of 132.

Ali fought a lone battle, hitting five boundaries during his defiant 172-ball knock.

Earlier, Botha dismissed Younis Khan (35), skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (nine) and Umar Akmal (four) in 38 balls to derail Pakistan who resumed the day at 144-2.

South Africa piled on the pressure with five close-in fielders to keep the batsmen in check and the tactic paid off as Botha induced Younis to drive uppishly towards short mid-wicket, where AB de Villiers pulled off a diving catch.

Younis, playing his first Test since July last year because of a disciplinary ban, hit three boundaries.

Misbah, leading Pakistan for the first time, also fell victim to close-in fielding when a Botha delivery turned sharply and the ensuing edge was picked off by a diving Hashim Amla at short-leg.

Umar played a reckless shot trying to loft Botha over long-off but got a leading edge towards point where Steyn took a simple catch before Morkel destroyed the tail-end.

Brief scores
South Africa 380 and 139 for 2 (Amla 44*, Kallis, 32*)
Pakistan 248 (Hafeez 60, Azhar 56, Morkel 5-54)
Status South Africa lead  by 271 runs