Adams and Kamal share honours

Paul Adams claimed a career-best 7/128 and Asim Kamal missed a century on debut by one run to leave the first Test evenly poised.

South African left-arm spinner Paul Adams claimed a career-best 7-128 and Pakistan's Asim Kamal missed a century on his debut by one run Sunday to leave the first Test evenly poised after the third day.

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South Africa, which conceded an 81-run deficit after the first innings, closed the day on 99 for one in its second innings — an overall lead of 18 runs. Pakistan was bowled out for 401 in reply to South Africa's first innings of 320.

Herschelle Gibbs was lucky to be there on 56 while Boeta Dippenaar was batting on 25. Gibbs should have been caught on 13, but Moin Khan floored a straightforward catch behind the wickets which might prove costly for Pakistan.

Express bowler Shoaib Akhtar got the lone breakthrough when he had captain Graeme Smith (12) caught by Taufeeq Umer at slip. Gibbs cashed in on his escape with trademark cover drives and completed his half-century off 87 balls with six fours and a mistimed six over wicketkeeper's head off Akhtar's lightning pace.

Akhtar will miss the second Test at Faisalabad and two one-day internationals for using abusive language against Adams in this Test. The International Cricket Council match referee Clive Lloyd handed down the ban for violation of the ICC's code of conduct.

Earlier, Asim Kamal missed a century on his Test debut by one run as left-arm spinner Paul Adams claimed career-best figures to restrict Pakistan's lead to under 100 runs. Adams' previous best effort in Test matches was 6-55 against India at Kanpur in 1996-97.

"I am feeling great after my today's performance although I am a bit tired after bowling 45 overs," said Adams, who didn't play in his team's 3-2 victory in the limited-overs series against Pakistan. "I tried to get as many overs under my belt (in the nets) so that I get used to the conditions (in Pakistan) which paid off."

Left-handed 27-year-old Kamal hit Adams for two boundaries in nervous 90s before he dragged medium fast Andre Nel's short delivery back onto his stumps on 99.

Kamal showed an impressive temperament and technique during his five-hour innings in which he hit 11 fours and a six and faced 246 balls.

"It's part of Test cricket, you can get out on a good first ball or you get out on the 300th delivery," Kamal said. Kamal was the third player in Test history to miss century on Test debut by one run, following in the footsteps of Australian Arthur Chipperfield (1934 against England) and West Indian Robert Christiani (1948 against England).

"None of the South African bowlers bothered me. I played with confidence but feel a bit disappointed not to get the three figure mark, but I'll keep trying."

Wicketkeeper Khan, playing in his first Test in 2 1/2 years, made 37, before Adams claimed the last four wickets, which fell for just 35 runs.

Earlier, Pakistan had resumed play at the overnight score of 275 for four, and Kamal and Shoaib Malik posted a record-breaking fifth wicket partnership of 99. The stand bettered the previous best of Pakistan against South Africa when Yousuf Youhana and Faisal Iqbal made 54 runs at Cape Town last year.

Kamal, 49 overnight, completed his half century in the first over of the day, and played some attractive sweeps, cuts and drives off Adams.

Malik survived a confident lbw appeal off Nel but was deceived by a delivery from Adams that spun across the right-hander and knocked back the off-stump.
Malik hit seven boundaries during his two and a half hours at the crease.