All-rounder Jacques Kallis compiled a patient innings to nudge South Africa into the lead on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan on Sunday.
Kallis was 84 not out at lunch, which South Africa reached on 191 for four in their second innings — a lead of 50 runs.
South Africa were dismissed for 124 in their first innings, to which Pakistan replied with 265.
Just 76 runs were scored in the morning session, and all Pakistan had to show for their efforts was one wicket and a dropped catch.
South Africa resumed on 115-3, and Kallis and Ashwell Prince took their fourth wicket partnership to 56 before the latter was trapped in front by leg-spinner
Danish Kaneria with a delivery that turned sharply into the left-hander’s pads.
Prince scored 22, and he was dismissed in the fifth over of the session.
Herschelle Gibbs, who was 39 not out, joined Kallis to share 74 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket.
Pakistan might have separated them with the total on 142 when Kallis edged a delivery from Kaneria on 63, only for wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to drop the catch.
The circumspect Kallis faced 206 balls and hit seven fours.
The visitors were still without fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who has yet to take the field in South Africa’s second innings because of a hamstring injury.
Shoaib took 4-36 in the first innings, his first Test since he played against India in Karachi last February. – Reuters