CENTURION: Former South African all-rounder Chris Morris on Saturday, heaped praise on Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel for his gutsy knock in the second innings of the first Test against South Africa, underway here at the SuperSport Park.
The left-handed middle-order batter played a crucial knock in leading Pakistan to a commendable total on a challenging surface, which largely favoured the bowlers.
Saud top-scored for the touring side in the second innings with a controlled 84 off 113 deliveries, bolstered with 10 fours and a six.
Praising the Southpaw’s gritty knock, Morris stated that Saud made batting look easy on a challenging surface.
“We spoke about how difficult the pitch is – it looked like Saud Shakeel was batting on a different surface, on a road. His balance was so good, and the way we paced his innings was excellent,” Morris said.
Continuing his praise for the middle-order batter, Morris highlighted that Saud tackled the short balls adequately after getting dismissed on a similar delivery in the first innings.
“This was an outstanding innings – he played the short ball brilliantly after getting out to it in the first innings. An unbelievable innings on a difficult wicket. He’s a serious player,” he concluded.
It is pertinent to mention that, Pakistan accumulated 237 in the second innings to set South Africa a fighting target of 148.
Leading the way for the green shirts in the second innings were Saud and ace batter Babar Azam as both scored half-centuries.
Meanwhile, by the end of the rain-hit third day of the opening Test, South Africa had amassed 27/3 with Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma at the crease.
