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Filed under Pakistan vs South Africa

South Africa have never been the babies of International cricket. Ever since they arrived for the first time, they knew their craft with bat & ball. I must add Proteas also taught all of us 'how to field'.

Back to babies of International cricket, which south africans never were, Indian neighbors has been a happy hunting destination for them. Only twice they've visited Pakistan (before the 2007 tour) and registered win in decider 3rd test at Faisalabad, in the very first 1997 tour. Rawalpindi & Sheikhupura had yielded draws, so it was all jubilation for Proteas at Iqbal stadium. I must tell you more of that Faisalabad story, but first - here's how the two teams stand in test match records ~ 7 wins for South Africa against just 3 for Pakistan. From 14 played tests to far. Interestingly, Pakistan have beaten visitors just once at own home, from 5 tests so far.

A total of 6 test match serieses between Pakistan & South Africa ~ 4 have been won by Proteas while Asian team managed just one - the 2003 tour of South Africa to Pakistan. That was a 2 test match series, where Pakistani team (coached by Javed Miadad & captained by Inzamam) sneaked to win the first test. 2nd test match, again at Faisalabad, was filled with twists & turns but Pakistan held on to draw it with 4 wickets remaining.

South Africa in Pakistan, 24-28 Oct 2003, 2nd (& final) test match scorecard
South Africa 1st Inn : 278 all out	South Africa 2nd Inn : 371 for 8 declared
Gibbs 98, Kristen 54, McKenzie 27	G. Smith 65, Kristen 118, McKenzie 35
Boucher 27, Shabbir 26-8-74-4	Kallis 43, Pollock 30, Razzaq 3/70
Pakistan 1st Inn : 348 all out	Pakistan (target 302) : 242 for 6 in 98 ovs
T. Umar 68, Farhat 128, Hameed 21	T.Umar 71, Inzamam 60, Kamal 38
Inzamam 23, Razzaq 37, Pollock 6/78	Pollock 22-12-27-1, Ntini 20-7-45-2
Test match draw. Pakistan win 2 test series 1-0.

Pat Symcox is one man, who would want to talk more of Pakistan vs South Africa test history, cause he was instrumental for Proteas in winning first ever test series they played. Symcox was an off-spinner, but earned man of the match award, in 1997, for his superb supporting innings of 81 with Gary Kristen, & then 55 brilliant runs being a night watchman in the 2nd innings. Pat also took 3 crucial wickets in Pakistan's 2nd innings, where they had a winnings target of just 146. That day - 27th October 97, Proteas bowled Pakistani's out for just 92 in 37.3 overs.

Only two batsman (Sohail 14, & Moin Khan 32) got to double figures.

South Africa in Pakistan, 24-27 Oct 1997, 3rd (& final) test match scorecard
South Africa 1st Inn : 239 all out	South Africa 2nd Inn : 214 all out
Kristen 100, Symcox 81, Klusner 18	McMillan 21, Symcox 55 off 120 balls
W. Akram 4/42, M. Ahmed 3/81	Cronje 21, Pollock 21, Mushtaq 4/57
Pakistan 1st Inn : 308 all out	Pakistan (target 146) : 92 all out
Inzamam 96, Moin Khan 80, Waqar 35	Aamir Sohail 14, Moin 32, Extras 16
A.Sohail 38(batted no. 8), Klusner 2/30	Pollock 11-1-37-5, Symcox 9.3-5-8-3
South Africa won by 53 runs, win 3 test match series 1-0.

But no history book is complete without bit of record lists & special best performances between two cricket playing nations. So, here they are, records in Pak vs SA test matches, until the 2007 test series in Pakistan as I mentioned earlier.

Highest Scores
By Pakistan : 456 all out at Rawalpindi, 1997.
For Pakistan : Azhar Mahmood's 136 at Johannesburg, 1998.
By South Africa : 620 for 7 declared, at Cape Town, 2002.
For South Africa : Herschelle Gibbs 228 at Cape Town, 2002.

Lowest Totals
By Pakistan : 92 all out at Faisalabad in 1997.
By South Africa : 124 all out at Port Elizabeth, 2007.

Best Bowling Figures
By Pakistan : 10 for 133 by Waqar Younis at Port Elizabeth, 1998.
By South Africa : 10 for 108 by Finne de Villiers, Johannesburg 1994.

South Africa in Pakistan, a history untold

South Africa tour of Pakistan, 2007 - info article

Kallis twin tons seal 1st test for Proteas

South Africa deny Pakistan a Lahore miracle

Pakistan (at last) win one over Proteas