Close South Africa 620 for 7 dec (Gibbs 228, Smith 151) lead Pakistan 141 for 1 (Taufeeq 85*, Khan 44*) by 479 runs
Scorecard

A combative unbeaten 85 by Taufeeq Umar gave Pakistan a chance to salvage some pride in their second Test against South Africa, as they battled to 141 for 1 in reply to South Africa's 620 for 7 declared.

Pakistan's bowlers bowled with discipline in the first two sessions of the day and prevented South Africa from running away with the Test. South Africa added 86 before lunch and 89 between lunch and tea, a meager repast compared to the run-feast they served up yesterday. Then Umar, in the company of Younis Khan, who finished the day on 44, made sure that the game was still wide open.

Too often when subcontinental teams play in South Africa, it appears that the Tests are played on two pitches: the track South Africa's batsmen make merry on; and the pitch on which the subcontinental batsmen struggle to adjust to the pace and bounce. That wasn't the case here though. Umar, driving and pulling with gusto, was as much at ease on the surface as Herschelle Gibbs had been a day ago. He put away anything loose that the fast bowlers served up, and used his feet well to Nicky Boje.

Shaun Pollock had struck early for South Africa, surprising Salim Elahi (10) with his bounce – Elahi could only fend the ball to Graeme Smith at third slip (36 for 1). But that was all the success South Africa's bowlers were to have on the day.

Pakistan had struck early in the day, as Mohammad Sami trapped Jacques Kallis leg-before for 31 (463 for 4) – replays indicated that there might have been an inside-edge. It was a blow for Kallis, a man who greedily collects runs and who was licking his lips at the prospect of adding to his aggregate against Pakistan's weary bowlers.

But Boeta Dippenaar and Neil McKenzie batted stolidly, adding 85 runs in 27 overs before McKenzie was caught behind by Kamran Akmal off Mohammad Zahid for 51 (548 for 5). Mark Boucher (7) then unleashed a mighty slog off Saqlain Mushtaq that missed the ball completely, and his leg stump was uprooted (557 for 6).

Dippenaar, whose 62 took all of 146 balls, tried to accelerate the scoring but was out top-edging a doosra from Saqlain, which Akmal caught easily (594 for 7).

Pollock upped the tempo though, hitting Saqlain for a four and two sixes in one over before deciding to declare, with South Africa only two short of their highest-ever Test score. He made an unbeaten 36, off only 19 balls.

The pitch is clearly good for batting and should remain so for the rest of the game. Pakistan's batting line-up has the firepower to make a big score here – especially after the start they have been given by Umar – and the result of this Test is far from being the foregone conclusion it seemed at the end of the first day's play.

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