Mini-session Analysis, First test, Pakistan vs South Africa, Abu Dhabi, 2013

Here is the final mini-session analysis for the first test between Pakistan and South Africa at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

A mini-session is (normally) half a session, either between the start of the session and the drinks break or the drinks break and the end of the session. Occasionally a long session will have 3 mini-sessions where it will be broken up with 2 drinks breaks.

Mini-Session	Score	Winner
1-1a	South Africa 40/2 off 13	Pakistan
1-1b	South Africa 26/1 off 13	Pakistan
1-2a	South Africa 40/1 off 16	Pakistan
1-2b	South Africa 46/0 off 13	South Africa
1-3a	South Africa 47/1 off 15	draw
1-3b	South Africa 46/3 off 20	Pakistan
2-1a	South Africa 4/2 off 3.1	Pakistan
	Pakistan 43/0 off 10
2-1b	Pakistan 34/0 off 12	Pakistan
2-2a	Pakistan 35/0 off 14	Pakistan
2-2b	Pakistan 43/1 off 15	South Africa
2-3a	Pakistan 47/2 off 17	South Africa
2-3b	Pakistan 61/0 off 16	Pakistan
3-1a	Pakistan 39/1 off 14	South Africa
3-1b	Pakistan 50/0 off 14	Pakistan
3-2a	Pakistan 33/1 off 13	South Africa
3-2b	Pakistan 44/3 off 10.2	South Africa
3-3a	Pakistan 19/2 off 3.2	Pakistan
	South Africa 48/1 off 14
3-3b	South Africa 24/3 off 12	Pakistan
4-1a	South Africa 34/1 off 14	Pakistan
4-1b	South Africa 24/1 off 15	Pakistan
4-2a	South Africa 58/1 off 15	South Africa
4-2b	South Africa 44/3 off 12.4	Pakistan
4-3a	Pakistan 45/3 off 13.5	South Africa

Final update, click here

Pakistan win the match by 7 wickets and the mini-session count 14.5 - 8.5


First drinks, Day 1: Pakistan lead the mini-session count 1-0

Mohammed Irfan is a real weapon. His extra bounce means he takes wickets that other bowlers wouldn't. I like Alviro Petersen, but Irfan gave him no chance there. Advantage Pakistan. - Mykuhl


Lunch, Day 1: Pakistan lead the mini-session count 2-0

Junaid had created a lot of pressure, and he was finally rewarded with a wicket. Pakistan well on top now. - Mykuhl


Middle drinks, Day 1: Pakistan lead the mini-session count 3-0

Controversy! AB de Villiers is run out without attempting a run. It is a legal run out, but is it within the spirit of the game? I am honestly not sure what I think of the situation. Either way that wicket gave Pakistan the hour, despite a quality counter attack by Hashim Amla. - Mykuhl


Tea, Day 1: Pakistan lead the mini-session count 3-1

The shine has come off the ball, and the conditions now look very good for batting. This might be a test where the state of the ball has a big bearing on who holds the power, the batsmen or the bowlers. If so, this could be a fascinating match and potentially series. - Mykuhl


Final drinks, Day 1: Pakistan lead the mini-session count 3.5-1.5

South Africa were cruising before what seems to be a plan to get Duminy out came off. As a spin bowler I can appreciate the art in getting a batsman caught behind square on the leg side off a top edge. It's a fantastic feeling when a plan like that comes off. - Mykuhl


Stumps, Day 1: Pakistan lead the mini-session count 4.5-1.5

A good day for Pakistan. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, South Africa would have not been hoping for 245/8. The only thing that soured the day for Pakistan was the loss of Mohammed Irfan to injury. - Mykuhl


First drinks, Day 2: Pakistan lead the mini-session count 5.5-1.5

A perfect start for Pakistan. They cleaned up the South African innings quickly then got through the first 10 overs without loss, and scoring quite quickly. - Mykuhl


Stumps, Day 2: Pakistan lead the mini-session count 8.5-3.5

Another dominant day for Pakistan. They are well in the lead now. However experience tells us that South Africa are the sort of team that are good at turning around difficult situations. It also tells us that Pakistan are capable of imploding at any point, and there's no such thing as a safe lead when we are talking about Pakistan. There's still plenty of time left for a few twists and turns in this game. - Mykuhl


End of match, Day 4: Pakistan win the match by 7 wickets and the mini-session count 14.5-8.5

Pakistan won the test convincingly. They won every day except day 3 that was shared. Touring Pakistan was always one of the hardest prospects in cricket. They are turning UAE into a similar fortress. South Africa will have to play very well to square the series.