RAWALPINDI. Oct 9: South African batsmen fought hard today to score 359-6 in their first innings

on the fourth day to ensure a draw in the first Test, report agencies

Wicketkeeper Dave Richardson (30) and all-rounder Shaun Pollock (35) forged a 77-run unbroken stand for the seventh wicket to see off the day. cut short due to bad light.

Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq bagged his second five-wicket haul of his career. Mushtaq Ahmed failed to bag any wicket in 49.3 overs.

Saqlain tore the South African middle-order apart but not before opener Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis were involved in a tenacious century second-wicket stand to help visitors avoid the follow-on. Pakistan made 456 in their first innings, thanks to two debut centuries by Azhar Mahmood and All Naqvi.

Pakistan s hopes of making South Africa bat again were dashed once overnight batsmen Jacques Kallis and Western Province 30-year-old Kirsten survived the first session.

The pre-lunch period saw the pair adding another 66 runs to their team's overnight total of 139 for one. On a docile wicket where only an occasional deliv-

ery spun sharply, the South African batting duo dug out 14 overs of leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.

However, the home team had a fruitful second period when off-spinner Saqlain claimed three wickets and allowed Han-sie Cronje s team to add only 54 runs.

He got rid of both Kirsten and Kallis in space of his 11 deliveries. First he got a lucky leg before verdict on Kallis from umpire Javed Akhtar when the ball seemed to have going down the leg side.

Kallis put on 114 runs in the company of Kirsten in 213 minutes and his maiden Test half-century — 61— comprised six fours. Ijaz Ahmed then took a sharp catch at second slip to dismiss Kirsten off Saqlain with the total on 228.

Kirsten was unlucky to miss his fifth Test century by just two runs. His innings of 98 came off 344 balls and he stayed at the wicket for seven hours.

Cullinan, who was dropped by Inzamamul Haq off Saqlain in the slip cordon while on 14. also departed in a controversial manner as umpire Akhtar ruled him out leg before off Saqlain. The TV replays showed the ball clearly pitching outside the leg stump.

Soon after tea Azhar Mahmood got his first Test wicket when South African skipper Hansie Cronje cut uppishly into the hands of Ijaz Ahmed.

Cronje made 24.

McMillan followed him as his attempted sweep off Saqlain safely landed in Ijaz's hands.. McMillan could make 7.

Pollock and Richardson survived some anxious moments initially but then adopted aggressive tactics.

The way Gary Kirsten batted .. all the chance we had in the morning was blown off by that partnership between Kirsten and Kallis." Pakistan coach Haroon Rasheed said.

Meanwhile. Pakistan's regular wicketkeeper, Moin Khan, developed a back problem during the first session and part-timer Mohammad Wasim replaced him for the remainder of the day.

Wasim had difficult behind the wickets and conceded 13 byes. Although he stumped Dave Richardson of Mushtaq, umpire Akhtar declared it a no-balf as the bowler s front foot was well over the crease.

Tomorrow is the final day and the Test appears to be winding to a draw.

SCOREBOARD

Scorecard at stumps on the fourth day of the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi Thursday:

PAKISTAN: First innings 456 all out (Azhar Mahmood 128 not out. All Naqvi 115; Shaun Pollock 3-74. Allan Donald 3-108)

SOUTH AFRICA: First innings (overnight 139-1) Kirsten c Ijaz b Saqlain 98

Bacher c Ramzan b Saqlain 50

Kalils lbw b Saqlain 61

Cullinan lbw b Saqlain 16

Cronje c Ijaz b Mahmood 24

McMillan c Ijaz b Saqlain 7

Pollock not out 35

Richardson not out 30

Extras: (b-I3, lb-9. nb-12, w-4) 38

Total: (Tor 6 wickets. 149.3 overs) 339

Fall of wickets: 1-107: 2-221 3-228; 4-249; 5-278; 6-282. Bowling (to date) O M R W

Waqar 20 8 45 0

Mahmood 21 1 57 1

Mushtaq 49.3 13 109 0

Saqlain 59 13 126 5

To bat: Pat Symcox, Allan Donald. Brett Shultz.