Pakistan extends their advantage, but Proteas hang on through Muthusamy's late strike

Senuran Muthusamy provided the Proteas with a lifeline on the stroke of tea, but Pakistan remains in control at tea on day 3 of the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.

Muthusamy brought about Saud Shakeel’s demise when the left-handed attempted a slog sweep off the last ball before the interval. Saud connected sweetly, but it could not clear Tristan Stubbs on the square-leg boundary to leave Pakistan at 150/5 at the interval - an imposing overall lead of 259 runs. 

Pakistan had looked to move the game forward in the second session with Babar Azam entertaining the Lahore locals during a 31-run stand with Abdullah Shafique and a further 51-run partnership with Saud Shakeel.

Shafique (41) was first to go when he smashed a straight drive straight back to Muthusamy. 

But there was a collective sigh of disappointment in the stands when the impressive Kagiso Rabada finally earned his just reward when he snared the big wicket of Babar - trapped LBW for 42.

Mohammad Rizwan entered the fray and immediately looked to be positive along with Shakeel before the left-hander held out to Stubbs in the deep. 

The Proteas’ task remains a steep one with Pakistan edging closer to a lead of 300, which would be a major challenge for the World Test Champions to overcome in their bid to extend their record-breaking 10-game winning streak. 

First Test, Day 3, Lunch

Pakistan: 378 all out & 150/5 (Babar Azam 42, Shafique 41, Harmer 2/46, Muthusamy 2/46)

South Africa: 269 all out (De Zorzi 104, Rickelton 71, Noman Ali 6/112, Sajid Khan 3/98)

Pakistan leads by 259 runs