South Africa vs Pakistan - second test

Pakistan got pummeled badly. Who's this Tahir fellow? Never heard of him.

For Christ sake this guy has played only 11 test matches! I know he is of an age but he is relatively inexperienced at this level and leg spin can easily go wrong.

The bad thing is his SR away is twice that of being at home but he has taken the same number of wickets home and away. In fact he has only played 3 of his 11 Tests in Asia so I am not sure the basis of your statement apropos his effectiveness in Asia.

I cannot think of a better spinner out of SA for quite some time so if he is good enough, as he is, you have to stick with him warts and all. The story could have been quite different in the first test match.

The SA management has been far too conservative as you really do need 2 spinners, specialists, those conditions. Not sure Abu Dabai is Asia but hey semantics.

He needs the confidence of being persevered with.

We did the same nonsense against India and once Panesar came in to partner Swanny, it was a different ball game.

it is not ....totally different game playing conditions  !

Gina, to be fair - don't read too much into his Oz performance (not making excuses, was still crap by any standards). Oz is the graveyard for spinners. Especially overseas ones. If he could be a handy asset in Asian conditions, I'd consider that itself a huge pro.
He bowled fine this game, and 5 fer was well deserved, more or less. He does have the tools in his arsenal. As I said, either way, he's undoubtedly your best option, doesn't matter how consistent/inconsistent he is. Ought to persist with him and hope he gains good consistency.

And oh just to add, this was, aside from some fine bowling, absolutely irresponsible and dire batting from Pakistan. This was by no means a <250 pitch. On day one at least. They can hope of pulling off a heist like they did with England last year (where they bowled out for exactly 99 first innings), but for that they'd have to bowl SA out cheaply now and then hope someone to step in the second innings.

399 - 4

Smith 191 *

AB 135*

Current partnership  : 269 runs, 60.4 overs, RR: 4.43 ...(Smith 124, de Villiers 137)

This is now the highest 5th wicket stand for South Africa in Tests. 

410 - 4

Smith 199 *

119.2

Zulfiqar Babar to Smith, 2 runs, there it is !

A fifth double hundred and 9000 Test runs for Graeme Smith !

He gets to the double milestone by stepping out of his crease and chipping over midwicket 

Smith's gone ahead of Inzamam (8830), Miandad(8832) and Gooch (8900) during this innings !!

414 - 4

Smith 202 *

AB 139*