Smith becomes second South African to cross 9000 runs in Tests

South African skipper Graeme Smith completed 9,000 runs in Test cricket during his double hundred against Pakistan in the second Test in Dubai on Thursday.

- Graeme Smith double hundred in SA run-feast against Pak

Smith shared an all-time South African record for a fifth wicket partnership of 326 with AB de Villiers, who was unbeaten on 157.

The captain said that his ankle held up very well and he was very grateful, adding that he put in a lot of hard work over the period since he came off the crutches.

Smith put the second Test turn-around, after losing the first Test by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi, down to good planning.

He became the 12th batsmen overall and just the second South African behind team-mate Jacques Kallis to score 9,000 or more runs in Tests.

India''s maestro Sachin Tendulkar leads the all time run scorers in Test cricket, with 15 837 in 198 Tests. Besides Tendulkar two other Indians, three Australians, two batsmen from South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka have scored 9,000 or more runs in Test cricket.