FAISALABAD, Oct 28: Pakistan salvaged a hard-fought draw to win the series against South Africa 1-0 at Iqbal stadium here on Tuesday after opener Taufiq Umar and skipper Inzamam-ul Haq hit much-needed half centuries.

On a tension-packed fifth and final day Pakistan made 242-6 to ensure a draw, two overs before the scheduled close of play. The 1-0 win is Pakistan’s first series victory over South Africa in four attempts after losing two and drawing one.

Chasing 302 to win, the home team’s early slow progress coupled with a lack of bite in the South African attack suggested a draw. But in the last session both teams pressed for victory.

However, in a dramatic turnaround the Proteas claimed two quick wickets with the second new ball and had Gary Kirsten not dropped Shoaib Malik off Makhaya Ntini with Pakistan 219-6, South Africa could have pulled off a win.

In the end Moin Khan, scoring just nine off 46 balls, and Malik, who added 23, ensured South Africa failed in their bid to force a win.

Pakistan won the first Test in Lahore by eight wickets.

The series win, the first for Pakistan against a major Test country for six years, also pushes Pakistan up above arch-rivals India in the International Cricket Council rankings for the first time since July last year.

South Africa, however, maintained its number two position behind world champions Australia.

Umer’s 71 capped a successful comeback series with 313 runs in four innings after he missed the last of three Tests against Bangladesh and a one-day series against Bangladesh and South Africa due to a knee injury.

Umer, dropped at 71 by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off Robin Peterson, did not take advantage of the lapse and played a rash shot to be caught at wide mid-wicket off Peterson after batting for 246 minutes, hitting 12 boundaries.

He added 79 runs for the third wicket with Inzamam and after the lunch interval upped the run-rate to raise hopes of a home team win as a 12,000 crowd cheered them on.

With six half centuries and nine catches in the series Umer finish with Man- of- the- Series award.

Inzamam then added another 62 for the fourth wicket with Asim Kamal as Pakistan reached tea at 155-3.

After tea, Paul Adams removed Kamal, caught by Mark Boucher for 38.

Graeme Smith took the second new ball with 20 overs left in the day and Pakistan on 210-4. Abdul Razzaq hit two boundaries off Shaun Pollock’s over to raise the excitement but Ntini trapped Inzamam leg before for 60.

Inzamam hit eight boundaries during his 194-minute stay.

With the first ball of the next over Pollock bowled Razzaq with a vicious in-swinger to leave Pakistan at 209-6.

Number seven Malik hit Ntini for two boundaries but Kirsten’s fumble with Pakistan at 219-6 cost the tourists dearly as Malik-Moin batted for 15.5 overs to force the draw.

Scoreboard

South Africa (1st innings) 278 (H.Gibbs 98, G.Kirsten 54; Shabbir Ahmed 4-74).