Abu Dhabi, Nov. 22: Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali led Pakistan’s fightback with half-centuries apiece to keep South African hopes of enforcing follow-on at bay on the third day of the second Test on Monday.
Misbah finished with 77 not out to guide his team to 317/6 at close after Ali (90) and Asad Shafiq (61) contributed in a fight for survival with Pakistan still needing another 68 to avoid following on.
Abdul Rehman was the other unbeaten batsman without scoring. Pakistan trail South Africa’s first innings score of 584/9 declared by 267 runs on an Abu Dhabi Stadium pitch which is still not offering any real help to the bowlers.
South Africa pushed hard to enforce the follow-on and to press their chances of winning the two-match series after the first Test in Dubai ended in a draw last week.
Scores: South Africa 584/9 decl. vs Pakistan 317/6 (Ali 90, Misbah batting 77, Shafiq 61; Steyn 3/78).