First Test: Pakistan smell victory as South Africa wobble

South Africa were faltering at 72 for 4 at the end of play on the third day while chasing Pakistan's 193 run lead.

ABU DHABI: Responding to Pakistan’s 193 run lead, South Africa closed the day at 72 for four on the third day of the first test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

South Africa looked in trouble having lost most of their top order, including captain Graeme Smith, 32. Batsman Hashim Amla, who had scored a century in the first innings, went down to debutant spinner Zulfiqar Babar for just 10 runs. Jaquqes Kallis was dismissed for a duck, trapped leg-before-wicket by Junaid Khan.

As the play closed for the day, AB De Villiers, 10, and Dale Steyn, zero, were at the crease.

For Pakistan, Saeed Ajmal, Muhammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Junaid Khan claimed a wicket each.

Earlier, captain Misbahul Haq scored his fourth test century as Pakistan were bowled out for 442 in their first innings on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday, with a lead of 193 runs over South Africa's first innings total of 249.

Paceman Vernon Philander finished with 3-84.

The Pakistan captain bagged his first ton against the Proteas as he made the most of a placid third-day pitch, before he was adjudged out two balls later for exactly 100, lbw to Dale Steyn.

Misbah  was ably supported by Asad Shafiq, who was not in the original squad for the match but added after a composed showing for Pakistan A in the warm-up fixture. He compiled a patient 54 from 105 balls and put on 82 runs for the fifth wicket with his captain before becoming JP Duminiy's second wicket of the innings when he clipped the ball to Alviro Peterson at mid-wicket.

The other wickets to fall in the post-lunch session were Saeed Ajmal, who struck a brisk 13 before edging a Vernon Philander delivery to wicket-keeper AB de Villiers, and Zulfiqar Babar (2). Babar was brilliantly run out by Steyn with the last ball before tea.

Earlier, Khurram Manzoor, who reached his maiden test century on Tuesday, was the only wicket to fall in Wednesday's opening session, caught behind for 146, as he slashed at a rising delivery from Philander and was taken at second slip by a diving Jacques Kallis.

South Africa were bowled out for 249 in their first innings early on the second day with only Hashim Amla, who scored 118, making any impression.

The two-match series is being hosted in the United Arab Emirates with the second test in Dubai, starting next week.