Yasir Shah strikes late to put Pakistan in charge

Pak’s Yasir Shah in full flight against SA yesterday. PIC/AFP

Pakistan spinners Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali grabbed three wickets in the space of 10 runs shortly before the close to halt South Africa's fightback on Day Three of the first Test here on Thursday.

It looked as though South Africa would end the day at parity after wiping out Pakistan's big 158-run first innings lead, but Yasir struck twice and Nauman once to leave the tourists on 187-4 at close, a lead of just 29 with six second innings wickets in hand.

Nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj was unbeaten on two and skipper Quinton de Kock was yet to score. "We will try to get South Africa out as soon as possible because the pitch will get difficult," said Yasir who took 3-53 from 24 overs of testing leg-spin.

"We have not won a Test for some time now, so we want to win this Test and the series." Earlier, the Pakistan tail wagged effectively as they added a further 70 before South Africa could take their final two wickets. Pakistan's 378 all out gave them a crucial first innings lead of 220.

Brief scores
SA 220 & 187-4 (A Markram 74, R van der Dussen 64; Y Shah 3-53) v Pakistan 378 (F Alam 109, F Ashraf 64, A Ali 51; K Rabada 3-70, K Maharaj 3-90, L Ngidi 2-57, A Nortje 2-105)