Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq made fine centuries as Pakistan recovered from a poor start to reach 253 for five on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday.
Having been reduced to 33 for four before lunch, a 219-run fifth-wicket stand between Younis (111) and Shafiq (111 not out) made the South African bowlers toil in the sun after captain Graeme Smith had won the toss.
The hosts dismissed Younis shortly before the close to leave the match evenly poised.
Smith spoke had spoken about a "dangerous" Pakistan side and so it proved as Younis and Shafiq started watchfully before accelerating after tea.
Shafiq was dropped by Dean Elgar at short leg off spinner Robin Peterson when on just 24, but otherwise gave a chanceless performance in reaching his third Test century off 201 balls including 13 fours and a six.
The experienced Younis reached his hundred from 192 balls with six fours and three towering sixes off Peterson. It was his 21st in Tests and fourth against South Africa.
He was dismissed on review after an inside edge off Vernon Philander carried to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.
Pick of bowlers
Morne Morkel was the pick of the bowlers with two for 37 from his 16 overs and Philander took two for 45. Dale Steyn deserved more than his one for 34 as he went past the outside edge on numerous occasions.
It looked like it was going to be another batting disaster for Pakistan early on.
Nasir Jamshed (3) offered a catch to De Villiers with a loose front-foot drive off Philander, Mohammad Hafeez (17) tentatively pushing forward to a full ball from Steyn and Smith pouched the catch at first slip.
Morkel had Azhar Ali (4) caught behind by De Villiers and four balls later Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq fended a rising delivery into his ribs with his gloves and Elgar took the catch at short leg.
South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 after a 211-run win in Johannesburg.
The first session of the match indicated another South African romp as Pakistan lost four wickets inside 40 runs.
Proteas’ pace trio -- Steyn, Morkel and Philander -- used the early morning session and nippy conditions to telling effect.
The swing so pronounced that the Pakistan openers struggled to judge the path and movement, and Philander brough the first breakthrough, forcing Jamshed to De Villiers, and the left-handed opener might be kicking himself as one ball earlier he received a reprieve.
A fine delivery that moved away from the Pakistan opener smooched the outside edge of his bat, and flew to slips.
But Faf Du Plesis couldn’t hold on to the chance, much to the relief of Jamshed. Just that the youngster couldn’t cash in on the chance.
They lost three more wickets in that session before Younis and Shafiq restored some semblance of sanity to the proceedings. Their cause was also helped by the fact that better sunshine took out the nippiness in the conditions, pitch easing out as a result.
The Pak duo made most of conditions suitable for batting with a resolute display.
Score board
Pakistan (I Innings):
Hafeez c Smith b Steyn 17
Jamshed c de Villiers b Philander 3
Ali c de Villiers b Morkel 4
Younis c de Villiers b Philander 111
Misbah-ul-Haq c Elgar b Morkel 0
Shafiq (batting) 111
Sarfraz (batting) 0
Extras (LB-4, NB-3).................................7
Total (for 5 wkts, 90 overs) 253
Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-21, 3-33, 4-33, 5-252.
Bowling: Steyn 19-7-34-1, Philander 21-8-45-2, M Morkel 16-6-37-2, Kallis 13-2-34-0, Peterson 19-0-85-0, Elgar 2-0-14-0.
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