Last-minute inclusion Kyle Abbott produced the second best figures on debut for South Africa to dismiss Pakistan for just 156 on a day of complete domination for the home side as they headed towards a clean sweep of the three-Test series at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
South Africa posted a formidable 409 all out with AB de Villiers completing his 16th Test century before Abbott claimed an astonishing analysis of 7-29 in just 11.4 overs to dismantle the tourists’ middle and lower order.
Graeme Smith had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on and Dale Steyn added to Pakistan’s misery by bowling opener Mohammad Hafeez with the first ball of the second innings. The tourists finished the second day on 14-1, still trailing by 239 runs and facing seemingly hopeless odds.
De Villiers, unbeaten on 98 overnight, reached 121 from 215 balls and struck 15 boundaries during a seventh wicket stand of 129 with Vernon Philander who’s career-best 74 came from just 113 balls and included nine boundaries.
There was plenty of evidence on display from the record-breaking seamer to show why he batted at number five for the SA under-19 team.
Philander claimed two of the first three wickets to fall with Abbott becoming the ninth South African to take a wicket in his first over of Test cricket when Hafeez was caught low down in the gully by Dean Elgar.
Thereafter Abbott’s scything journey through the Pakistan batsmen was only interrupted by Steyn trapping Asad Shafiq lbw.
A constantly probing, relentless line of attack on off-stump resulted in five catches between first slip and gulley before last man, Younis Khan, was trapped lbw for a top score of 33.
