A century from Fawad Alam helped Pakistan build an 88-run first-innings lead against South Africa in Karachi.
The hosts began the second day in trouble on 33-4 in response to South Africa's 220 all out. But Alam led an impressive fightback with a fine 109 as Pakistan reached 308 for eight at stumps.
Faheem Ashraf chipped in with 64 down the order after Azhar Ali spent almost four hours at the crease compiling 51.
Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi took two wickets apiece for South Africa, who are playing in Pakistan for the first time since 2007.
Hasan Ali (11 not out) and Nauman Ali (6 not out) will resume on the third morning and look to push the Pakistan lead past 100 on a wicket that is expected to get progressively lower, slower and take more turn.
Fawad and Azhar (51) put on 94 for the fifth wicket before the latter was caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock off spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-71).
Mohammad Rizwan added a breezy 33 but steered seamer Lungi Ngidi (2-55) to a diving Faf du Plessis at wide first slip.
The unorthadox Fawad, who takes a bizarre front-on stance at the crease, put on a further 102 with Ashraf as they took the attack to the tourists.
The partnership ended when Fawad clipped the ball to Temba Bavuma at mid-wicket off the bowling of Ngidi, with Faheem following just before the close, playing a delivery from Anrich Nortje (2-84) onto his own stumps.
Kagiso Rabada started the day on 199 Test wickets and ends the day with the same number as he found no success despite bowling tight lines.
It remained very much Pakistan’s day, however, with only four wickets falling after 14 dismissals on day one.
The tourists bowled without luck but were guilty of missing a number of sharp chances in the field to leave themselves an uphill battle to save the test.
