Abu Dhabi: A fightback by the middle order batsmen took Pakistan to 317-6 at Monday's close against South Africa, but Misbah-ul-Haq's side was still in trouble and trailing by 267 runs at the end of the third day of the second and final test.
Half centuries from Azhar Ali (90), captain Haq (77 not out) and Asad Shafiq (61) were still not enough for Pakistan at the Zayed Cricket Stadium following South Africa's mammoth first innings total of 584-9 declared.
At stumps, Haq and Abdur Rehman, who was yet to score, were at the crease.
Dale Steyn and Paul Harris took two wickets each, while Jacques Kallis got one of the five wickets to fall on the day.
Pakistan vs. South Africa scoreboard
South Africa, 1st Innings: 584
Pakistan, 1st Innings (Overnight: 59 for one)
Mohammad Hafeez lbw Steyn 2
Taufeeq Umar c Amla b Kallis 43
Azhar Ali c Smith b Steyn 90
Younis Khan c Amla b Steyn 14
Misbah-ul-Haq not out 77
Asad Shafiq c Kallis b Harris 61
Adnan Akmal c Amla b Harris 17
Abdur Rehman not out 0
Extras: (5b, 1nb, 1w, 6lb) 13
TOTAL: (for 6 wickets) 317
Overs: 106.
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-119, 3-153, 4-156, 5-263, 6-309.
Still to bat: Umar Gul, Tanveer Ahmed, Mohammad Sami
Bowling: Dale Steyn 24-7-78-3 (1w), Morne Morkel 24-10-66-0 (1nb), Jacques Kallis 17-6-47-1, Johan Botha 11-3-44-0, Paul Harris 30-10-71-2.
Toss: Pakistan.
Umpires: Asoka de Silva, Sri Lanka, and Daryl Harper, Australia.
Third umpire: Nadeem Ghauri, Pakistan. Match referee: Andy Pycroft, Zimbabwe.
Series: 0-0 in two-test series.
