PAKISTAN’S capitulation by 211 runs in less than three-and-a-half days of the first Test of the three-match series against the world’s top-ranked South Africa was imminent and unavoidable. With 279 runs in arrears and the second new ball due after only five overs of the fourth morning it was just anybody’s guess over what was in the offing.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s resilience and Asad Shafiq’s defiance, which produced a record fifth-wicket stand for Pakistan against South Africa, was then put to yet another soul-searching test when Graeme Smith immediately took the new ball when it was due and exposed not only the set pair but also the long tail which barely could handle the prodigious movement of the ball or the heat of it as it bounced and beat them into submission.

It may be a co-incidence but it is true that when Dale Steyn was handed the new ball, an F16 flying low over the ground shook the whole surroundings with its sound and speed.

Steyn, maybe, took the hint and tried to emulate the jet-fighter as he ran and bowled a fast outswinger to Misbah which beat him.

Although Misbah and Asad perished after the new ball was taken, it must be said though they both did well enough to prove that things can be handled if the batsmen put their heads down and apply themselves to chose the right deliveries to pick and find the gaps which were numerous due to the slip cordon expecting a catch at every ball bowled.

A half century each by Asad (56) and Misbah (64) did, in some way, wipe off the tears of the rest of the Pakistan line-up who had perished earlier on the third day.

With defeat staring in their face, Steyn and Vernon Philander continued to haunt the rest who followed. None except Umar Gul, who was the ninth man to be dismissed for 23, looked any better.

Steyn’s 11-60 in the match, his best ever haul not only tells the whole story but also puts Pakistan in a hot spot for the remaining two Tests which could be painful.

Unless the game plans miraculously change and conditions at the Newlands in Cape Town favour their batsmen and they demonstrate a lot more grit and gumption to handle the best pace attack in the world in recent times.

In a sanguine mood Misbah did admit that they were up against fast bowling attack in the world and ‘sometimes it is difficult to handle such bowling on bouncy wickets for the Asian batsmen.’

“For us there was no issue with the time if only we could bat longer,” he said.

Smith, delighted obviously to win while leading for a record 100th times in Test matches, quipped: “I shall remember this [Test] for the rest of my life.”

No wonder then he showered praise on his bowlers who did the job clinically for him to clinch victory.

Of Pakistan, he said: “I expect them to get better and better, their bowling is good and could be dangerous.”

I hope they do when it comes to facing their opponents in Cape Town in the second Test starting from Feb 14. A huge gap no doubt for some strange reasons and only a two-day game before that. That does not do much to raise the confidence of a team now trailing 1-0 in the series.

Smith’s men naturally are in the right lane and would not give away an inch to make sure they maintain the lead and with it the pressure which may cause more sleepless nights for Misbah and his men.

It is not much of fun when you are up against a team which is at the top of its game. Their success much to their ability to gore their opponents any conditions having had the privilege of the best pace attack in the world.

And what about the record breaking feat of their wicket-keeper/batsman A.B. de Villiers who not only scored a hundred in the Test but also held a record-equalling 11 victims behind the wicket to be first do so.

Jack Russell, the former England and Gloucestershire keeper, has had 11 victims here on this ground in 1995-96 to set the record. Now in retirement he is an eminent painter and has his own art gallery.

De Villiers can’t emulate that but he has all the time in the world to go past his wicket-keeping record if he is lucky.

For Pakistan there is now plenty of time to improve their skills to put up a stronger challenge and prove they can strike back.