October 05, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 22, 1428

KARACHI, Oct 4: It was all unofficial but it showed just how desperate Pakistan are to save the first Test against South Africa at the National Stadium.

It took an eagle eye of former Pakistan Test opener Mohsin Khan to spot a bit of game play on Thursday by South African pace bowler Andre Nel to give that extra advantage to left-arm spinner, Paul Harris as the home team chased an improbable 424 runs for victory with one day remaining in the Test.

Mohsin, who is now posted at the NSK as PCB’s regional general manager, spotted Nel running on to the pitch every time he bowled to go and stare in the face of the batsmen.

Mohsin saw this as an apparent tactic and noticed that Nel was dangerously close to going on the danger area of the pitch.

He immediately notified the third umpire Riazuddin who conveyed this to the ICC match referee Alan Hurst, himself a former Australian fast bowler, who in turn is said to have advised the field umpires Simon Taufel and Mark Benson to keep Nel off the danger area of the pitch.

The pitch, as it, is taking plenty of turn with Pakistan battling hard to save the Test and maintain a proud record at this venue where they have lost only one Test in 39 matches since 1954-55.

Nel has a history of run in with the umpires and the opponents alike, although he has toned down his antics on the field to quite an extent and mellowed down.