Proud South Africa skipper Graeme Smith admitted it was hard work to score a double century against Pakistan on Thursday, three months after being on crutches due to ankle surgery. The 32-year-old left-hander hit a memorable 227 not out to steer South Africa to a commanding 460-4 at the end of second day. He shared an all-time South African record for a fifth wicket partnership of 326 with AB de Villiers, who was unbeaten on 157. ‘My ankle held up very well and I am very grateful. I put in a lot of hard work over the period since I came off crutches. It was a big surgery and there were a lot of times when you think how it’s gonna hold and how it’s gonna be handled, and I think it paid off today,’ said Smith. He put the second Test turn-around, after losing the first Test by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi, down to good planning. ‘We got two low totals in that game so you have to improve. I back our batting unit 90 percent of the time do produce the goods and it’s nice to get this far here,’ said Smith. South Africa are now in a commanding position to preserve their seven-year unbeaten run away from home. Their last away series defeat came in Sri Lanka in 2006 agencies