Pakistan blown away record 49 lowest test total

If Pakistan were in any doubt about the challenge of facing South Africa's pace attack, they were quickly disabused on the second morning at the Wanderers, as they were bowled out for their lowest total in Tests. Dale Steyn took 6 for 8, his 20th five-wicket haul in Tests, in an extraordinary, lethal display that gave South Africa a choke hold on the match with a lead of over 200. Graeme Smith, deciding not to enforce the follow-on, then picked up his bat with a view to having some more fun in his 100th Test as captain.

As South Africa ascended to the No. 1 Test ranking over the last year, a succession of teams have been left thrashing helplessly in their wake. After dispatching England and Australia in their own backyards, Smith's team are now relishing the chance to display their talents in front of home crowds. The only disappointment for the Johannesburg locals may be that this contest - like the two Tests against New Zealand last month - is unlikely to go anywhere near the distance.

The Pakistan innings could not have resembled a horror show any more had Freddie Krueger been spotted in the stands. As ever, Dale Steyn was a batsman's nightmare incarnate, his opening spell decapitating the Pakistan top-order in a manner worthy of any slasher flick, as the South Africa bowlers made perfect use of swinging conditions, useful bounce and more than a modicum of indecision among the tourists. After lunch arrived with Pakistan clinging on at 40 for 7, Steyn returned to stamp on their fingers and send them hurtling into the abyss. His relentless display produced six wickets and 39 dot balls, and only allowed three scoring shots, in 8.1 overs of mesmeric bowling.

Having resumed without loss, Pakistan would have known that the chances of them getting up towards South Africa's first-innings 253 rested on their successfully getting past the new ball. Recognising that did not come close to actually helping them achieve it, however, and at 12 for 3 after six overs the tone had been set. A partnership of 24 in almost 14 overs seemed to have stabilised the Pakistan innings, only for the darkness to swallow them up again, the last seven wickets falling for 13 runs and the roar of the crowd becoming a blanket of white noise.