Aiden Markram was 19 runs short of a Test century at lunch on Friday as South Africa posted 180-5 on the second day of the first Test in reply to Pakistan’s first-innings 211.
Markram is under pressure after a low-scoring series for South Africa but he showed his worth to the team, taking five wickets at Centurion to leave South Africa with 31 runs to spare.
He will resume after lunch with Kyle Vereen (0 not out) on 81, looking to take the lead for the hosts as they chase a win that will take them into next June’s World Test. A place in the championship final will be assured.
But Pakistan’s two wickets in Friday morning’s session kept them firmly in the contest with both captain Temba Bawama and David Bedingham dismissed in the first session.
South Africa were 82-3 overnight and Markram and Bovuma put on another 54 before the skipper was dismissed, delivering a thick outside edge to Amir Jamal and was caught out for 31.
Bedingham was particularly attacking in his short spell at the crease, making 30 off 33 balls before Naseem Shah’s extra bounce to Kamran Ghulam at slip.
Markram was 47 overnight and quickly moved past 50 in the third over of the morning as Pakistan toiled for the first hour before making their breakthrough.
South Africa will need to win one of the two-match series against Pakistan to reach the WTC final at Lord’s in June, adding extra pressure to the competition.
They have won their last seven home Tests against Pakistan.
Playing XI of Pakistan
Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad and Muhammad Abbas.
Playing XI of South Africa
Tony De Zorzi, Aidan Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Boma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Vereen, Marco Johnson, Kagiso Rabada, Dan Pietersen, and Corbin Bosh.