Dubai: South Africa dominated the first day but the second day of the first Test at the Dubai Sports City international cricket stadium belonged to Pakistan.
From a healthy 311 for 3, South Africa was bowled out for 380 runs with Umar Gul picking three quick wickets backed by spinners Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal.
It was an impressive show by Pakistan bowlers despite losing the services of left arm pacer Wahab Riaz, who had taken two wickets, to a muscle injury.
Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar then went on to provide a brilliant start by putting on 105 runs in 33.2 overs. By close, Pakistan scored 144 for 2 trailing by 236 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Umar, who last played a Test match at Leeds against England in August 2006, played cautiously picking only the right balls to hit and scored 42 runs. Hafeez too played fluently executing some excellent drives and pull. The pair began by putting on the first 50 runs in just 8.2 overs.
Hafeez's knock of 60 runs off 89 balls studded with seven boundaries ended when he hit an easy catch for Graeme Smith at mid on off Paul Harris.
Gul's quick three wickets set the tempo for Pakistan's fight back. Paul Harris was the first to go for a duck despite playing 29 balls to become Gul's first wicket.
Next man AB de Villiers lasted only 19 balls to score five runs. Gul produced a brilliant delivery which went in through the gate to knock his bails off.
Ashwell Prince too followed trapped leg before by Gul for just one run.
South African skipper Graeme Smith had predicted on Friday evening that the morning session will be crucial and it turned out to be true.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman picked his second wicket by trapping Mark Boucher leg before for nine as South Africa squandered all the benefits of a splendid start on the first day.
Despite wickets falling regularly, Jacques Kallis continued to bat with authority but twenty minutes before lunch he too yielded his wicket. Trying to play a shot behind point off a flighted delivery from Saeed Ajmal, Kallis edged to debutant wicketkeeper Adnal Akmal for his second catch. Kallis's 73 runs off 156 balls contained six boundaries.
Rehman picked his third wicket when he clean bowled Johan Botha with a delivery that turned well to hit the stump.
Pakistan needed a good start and their openers provided it. Much was expected off the South African spinners but they failed to get much turn from the wicket.
Twenty-five-year-old Azhar Ali, who joined Umar too batted comfortably.
Morne Morkel generated excellent pace but none of their medium pacers, including their strike bowler Dayle Steyn failed to get quick wickets. At the score on 111, Morkel ended Umar's innings by trapping him leg before.
Ali (12) and Younis Khan (21) have put on an unbeaten 33 runs for the third wicket. Efforts by Steyn to upset Ali's concentration through sledging went in vain. Pakistan may need a few big partnerships to take the lead but once again the morning session may prove crucial.
