Pakistan had made 129 for two at lunch on the third day of the second test against South Africa at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Azhar Ali strengthened his position as a reliable batsman with a resolute half-century to help Pakistan reach 129-2 at lunch on the third day.

Azhar was unbeaten on 75 along with senior team-mate Younis Khan, who was two not out at the break, in reply to South Africa’s mammoth first-innings total of 584-9 declared.

Pakistan need another 256 runs to avoid the follow-on.