The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa had a thrilling conclusion after rival spinners Noman Ali and Senuran Muthusamy caused destruction on the third day in Lahore on Tuesday.
Muthusamy took a maiden 10-wicket haul to help Pakistan remove 167 in their second innings on another day dominated by spin to give South Africa a target of 277 for victory.
But Noman, following up his 6-112 in the first innings, dismissed captain Aiden Markram for three and Wiaan Mulder (nothing) to keep the visitors down at 51-2 at the end.
Ryan Rickelton, 29 not out, and Tony de Zorzi, unbeaten on 16, fought to the end with South Africa needing another 226 runs.
Pakistan needs eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
With the menacing duo of Noman and Sajid Khan, the home team will relish their chances, especially as no visiting team in Pakistan has chased more than Sri Lanka (220-8) in Rawalpindi in 2000.
Pakistan coach Azhar Ali was in good spirits.
“We will definitely defend this target,” the former Pakistan all-rounder said.
“The state of the pitch and our spinners make us favourites, even though in the second outing we didn’t bat up to par.”
De Zorzi, who made a century in South Africa’s first innings, acknowledged there was pressure.
“These are tough hitting conditions, but I hope Rickelton and I can improve tomorrow,” he said.
“We will definitely give our best tomorrow, knowing that the partnerships will be like gold.”
As an enthralling match nears its climax, Muthusamy destroyed Pakistan with figures of 5-57 to add to his 6-117, while his partner Simon Harmer took 4-51 as Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 17 runs.
The hosts were fairly well placed at 150-4, but Saud Shakeel holed out for 38 off Muthusamy to trigger a collapse in the last over before tea.
Harmer bowled Mohammad Rizwan for 14 before Muthusamy ran out of control.
He dismissed Salman Agha for four, Noman Ali for 11 and Shaheen Shah Afridi for nothing to finish with match figures of 11-174, taking four wickets off 21 balls.
Harmer ended Pakistan’s sloppy batting display by removing Sajid Khan for one.
Earlier, South Africa were bowled out for 269 an hour before lunch, conceding a lead of 109 after Pakistan’s 378 in the first innings.
Noman took 6-112 for his ninth haul of five or more wickets in Tests.
With the Gaddafi Stadium taking a big turn, South Africa bowled Harmer the new ball in Pakistan’s second innings.
The 36-year-old stumped Imam-ul-Haq for wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne for nothing before trapping captain Shan Masood lbw for seven.
Muthusamy then had Abdullah Shafique for 41 and pacer Kagiso Rabada trapped Babar Azam in the previous leg for 42.
Azam has now failed to score a hundred in 28 Test innings dating back to December 2022.
Earlier, South Africa’s De Zorzi resumed his career with 81 at the start of the day and took the fight to Pakistan, completing his second Test century with a six and two singles off Noman.
The left-hander finally holed out for 104 off Noman, where Shaheen Shah Afridi took a low catch, ending a 208-minute innings that contained 10 fours and two sixes.
Noman, who bowled 35 overs, also removed Prenelan Subrayen for four during the session.
Fellow spinner Sajid took the first wicket of the day when Salman Agha trapped Muthusamy for 11.
He then concluded the innings when he bowled Rabada in vain to finish with 3-98 in 33 overs.
