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Domingo defends short ball

Abu Dhabi - Proteas will draw inspiration from previous pressure situations as they look to turn their position around in the first Test against Pakistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

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Pakistan are firmly in control after posting 263 for 3 on the second day.

However, the Proteas will take solace from having bounced back from this position on previous occasions on their journey to the No.1 ranking.

"This Test side has been in tough situations before and have managed to find ways to get out of it," head coach Russell Domingo said to the media at the post-play press conference.

"We know that we are in a tight situation at the moment but in saying that there is no reason why we can't limit the damage in terms of (Pakistan's) first innings lead.

"You have to go back and remind yourself why this side has become the No.1 side in the world," Domingo stressed.

"And on how they found ways to get out of tight situations like we are in at the moment." 

Domingo was referring to the first Test against England at the Oval last year, as well as the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, where the players showed gutsy determination and resilience to make telling comebacks. 

The Proteas' head coach defended the Proteas short-ball strategy, which the Pakistan batsmen exploited in good batting conditions to surge to a 14-run first innings lead.

"Every time you play sub-continent sides you always look to target them with short-pitched bowling," Domingo said.

"It’s always been part of the bowling make-up of South African attacks, maybe we overcooked it at stages but it is something that we will continue doing."

For now, the focus will be placed on the third day, which is otherwise known as the "moving day" if the Proteas are to give themselves a chance of turning their fortunes around.

"The new ball tomorrow morning is going to be crucial, if we can nip out one or two with the new ball and limit the lead to somewhere between 80 and 120 runs we will still be in the game," he concluded. 
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