South Africa inch toward win over Paksitan

CAPE TOWN, Jan 28 (Reuters) South Africa inched closer to victory over Pakistan in the deciding third test in Cape Town today, despite a double strike from fast bowler Mohammad Asif.

The home side, needing 161 to win, were 76 for four at lunch on the third day.

Jacques Kallis was 19 not out with Ashwell Prince on 14 in a stabilising partnership of 37 for the unbroken fifth wicket.

South Africa resumed on 36 for two and lost their third wicket without adding to their score when Asif trapped Graeme Smith in front for 33 with the ninth ball of the day's play.

Four overs later Asif reduced South Africa to 39 for four when he had Hashim Amla caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for three.

Kallis and Prince batted cautiously together, eking out their runs at a rate of less than two per over in their unbroken stand.

Just 40 were scored in the 29.5 overs bowled before lunch as Pakistan sought to keep the batsmen under pressure.

Kallis struck the first boundary of the day in the sixth over before lunch when he drove fast bowler Mohammad Sami off the back foot through the covers for four.

Kallis reduced the remainder of the target to double figures with Sami's next delivery, which he drove through mid-on for another four.

But the trickle of runs soon slowed, and no other boundaries were signalled before lunch.

The Pakistanis appealed often and vociferously, particularly when Asif and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria were bowling.

Umpires Steve Bucknor and Peter Parker both spoke to Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq after particularly emphatic appeals were turned down.

REUTERS SAM PM1643