South Africans hit back
12 April 2012
South Africa's middle order fought back strongly on Friday after earlier being left reeling by controversial Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif on day two of the first Test.
Asif, who recently had a one-year doping ban overturned against the wishes of the World Anti-Doping Agency, produced a brilliant opening spell on his return to the Test arena. He removed Proteas openers Graeme Smith and AB De Villiers to leave the hosts eight for two and later added the scalps of Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla.
But middle order batsmen Amla (71), Ashwell Prince (77 not out) and Herschelle Gibbs (58 not out) pulled the Proteas together and they reached the close on 254 for four, 59 short of Pakistan's first innings total of 313.
