Elgar, Amla guide SA to victory

Centurion: Dean Elgar (50, 123b, 10×4) and Hashim Amla (63 no, 148b, 11×4) hit half-centuries as South Africa beat Pakistan by six wickets inside three days in the first Test at SuperSport Park here Friday.

The pair survived some early scares and put on 119 for the second wicket before Elgar was caught behind off part-time medium-pacer Shan Masood (1/6), one ball after reaching his half-century. Amla finished a year in which he seldom found top with an unbeaten half century.

The value of the partnership between Elgar and Amla was shown as Theunis de Bruyn and captain Faf du Plessis both fell cheaply before Temba Bavuma swept Yasir Shah for four to take South Africa past their target of 149 shortly before tea on the third day.

Pakistan made an ideal start when Hasan Ali trapped Aiden Markram leg before wicket before a run had been scored. There were two crucial incidents with the total on 16, either of which could have swung the game in Pakistan’s favour.

Elgar and Amla survived some testing bowling from the Pakistan seamers and gradually began to lift the scoring rate on a pitch which favoured bowlers throughout.

Brief scores: Pakistan 181 and 190 lost to South Africa 223 and 151/4 (Hashim Amla 63 no, Dean Elgar 50) by six wickets.