Pakistan's hope of victory bowled over by Dale Steyn and South Africa

JOHANNESBURG // A consummate bowling performance by Pakistan on day 1 of the first Test against South Africa suggested they were capable of challenging the top-ranked team in the world. On Saturday, they were bowled out for 49 and left facing the prospect of a heavy defeat.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn was once again the inspiration for South Africa, taking six for eight to give the Proteas a first-innings lead of 204. By close on day 2 South Africa advanced to 207 for three and an overall lead of 411 runs.

Only Jermaine Lawson of West Indies, who took six for three against Bangladesh in 2002, has claimed a cheaper six-wicket haul than Steyn in the last 89 years.

The No 1 bowler in the world produced two blistering spells of outswing, taking three wickets in each as Pakistan's batsmen were unable to match his quality on a helpful pitch.

"I've never seen two hours of relentless pace bowling as I've witnessed today," Pakistan's well-travelled coach, Dav Whatmore, said. "Most of our batsmen got out to terrific balls. I'm very disappointed with the result, but there are reasons for that and you need to give credit to the South African bowlers."

Having claimed the first three Pakistani wickets in his first two overs of the day, Steyn returned after lunch to claim the last three without conceding a further run.

"It's kind of expected of your fast bowlers to clean up the tail, but I was pretty stoked with the first three early because I haven't done that in a while," Steyn said.

With the match barely into its fifth session, South Africa captain Graeme Smith opted not to enforce the follow-on, and instead looked to add to the home side's considerable lead.

"There wasn't a lot of talk about enforcing the follow-on because all they needed to do was score 50, but I think we made the right decision to bat them out of the game and make a big score," Steyn said.

It is the third time in 14 months South Africa have dismissed a visiting side in the 40s; bowling out Australia for 47 in November 2011, and New Zealand for 45 on January 2, both in Cape Town.

"When this team puts its forces together it's a pretty tough team to beat and pretty tough team to come up against," Steyn said. "There are some great individuals ... who all offer different skills."

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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.