CENTURION, South Africa: South Africa won the series-opening test against Pakistan on Friday as Hashim Amla returned to form with an unbeaten half-century to anchor a shaky chase and see the home team prevail by six wickets.
Amla’s 63 not out guided the Proteas to victory as they finished on 151-4 before tea on Day 3 at SuperSport Park, passing the target of 149 but not without a series of scares at both the beginning and end of their second innings.
South Africa lost opener Aiden Markram in the first over and Amla was dropped in the slips when he was on 8.
An over after the Amla chance was missed by Pakistan, Dean Elgar survived a contentious umpiring decision that ruled out a catch that appeared to be good. Elgar was on 4 at the time. He went on to make 50 and share a 119-run partnership for the second wicket with Amla.
Elgar went a ball after reaching his 50, caught behind off medium-pacer Shan Masood.
In a shaky finish, Theunis de Bruyn (10) was stumped off Yasir Shah and captain Faf du Plessis was caught in the deep trying to hook an over after de Bruyn departed. South Africa needed just 12 runs to win at that point and it meant a pair of ducks for the South Africa skipper in the test.
Temba Bavuma was 13 not out to take South Africa over the line with Amla.
South Africa’s nervous run-chase — the Elgar-Amla century partnership apart — came at the end of a seesaw match that ended well inside three days and which was dominated by pace bowlers on a green-tinged pitch. Both batting orders struggled.
Pakistan was out for 181 in its first innings, and South Africa replied with 223 all out. Pakistan was bowled out for 190 in its second innings to leave the modest target.
The game turned in the final session of Day 2 when Pakistan returned from tea 100-1 but went on to lose nine wickets for 89 runs.
Amla takes South Africa to victory in first test against Pakistan
Amla takes South Africa to victory in first test against Pakistan
- His 63 not out guided the hosts to victory
- Amla was dropped in the slips when he was on 8
Dubai Basketball edge Milan to secure EuroLeague victory
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball strengthened their home-court reputation with a 99-92 win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan in Round 18 of the EuroLeague at Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday, cheered on by more than 5,000 fans.
The hosts made a fast start and immediately imposed themselves at both ends of the floor. Canadian center Mfiondu Kabengele and Serbian big man Filip Petrusev controlled the paint early, creating close-range scoring opportunities and forcing Milan into defensive adjustments. With McKinley Wright IV and Dwayne Bacon adding pace and penetration, Dubai surged into a double-digit lead and dictated the tempo of the opening quarter.
Milan struggled to settle and spent much of the first period on the back foot, as Dubai’s advantage stretched to 15 points. Although the visitors steadied themselves as the quarter progressed, the early deficit proved costly.
Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac praised the impact of the home crowd after the game, saying: “Congratulations to the fans. We were missing them for sure in the last home game, and they helped us a lot. In the first quarter, we played one of our best quarters this season. The next game is at home in three days, so there is no time to rest too much. We need to prepare for that game first. We are not thinking three games ahead — we prepare for every game and try to win every game.”
Milan showed improved rhythm in the second quarter, but Dubai responded before the break. Bacon punished defensive lapses from beyond the arc, while Kabengele finished strongly inside to help the hosts take a seven-point lead into halftime.
The final period was defined by composure rather than flair. Milan threatened to draw level on several occasions, but missed free throws and execution errors halted their momentum. Bacon sealed the outcome from the free-throw line in the final two minutes, pushing Dubai back into a double-digit advantage and closing out the contest.
Bacon led all scorers with 25 points, while Wright recorded 19 points and nine assists. Kabengele added 17 points, and Petrusev contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. For Milan, Guduric topped the scoring with 11 points, alongside seven rebounds and seven assists.
Dubai Basketball now turn their attention to the ABA League, where they remain unbeaten. The team return to Coca-Cola Arena to face Slovenia’s KRKA in Round 12 of the competition.
