It's a good pitch to bat on, the only key to success is to show patience on such tracks and I did exactly that Imran Farhat Pakistan openers stake claim

Imran Farhat scored his maiden Test century as Pakistan cruised to 237-2 at the close of play against South Africa.

Pakistan trailed by just 41 runs after the visitors were dismissed for 278 on the second morning.

Farhat, playing in his sixth Test, was unbeaten on 123, a knock which included 17 boundaries.

He put on 137 runs for the first wicket with Taufeeq Umar, who made 68 before he was caught by Herschelle Gibbs off left-arm spinner Paul Adams.

It was the opening pair's third successive Test century partnership, all scored against South Africa.

Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, returning from injury, was 16 not out having faced 58 deliveries.

Umar, man of the match in Pakistan's eight-wicket victory in the first Test, survived a close lbw appeal off Pollock early on but settled down well after seeing off the new ball.

Both openers scored freely on a slow wicket once left-arm spinner Robin Peterson came into the attack in the 19th over.

I was carried away and lost my composure, but I was happy that I laid a solid foundation and hopefully now we will get a big lead tomorrow Taufeeq Umar

Umar lofted the spinner for a straight six and a four off successive deliveries - hitting eight boundaries in all - before he threw away his wicket attempting a pull off Adams' wide delivery seven overs before tea.

A promising 41-run stand for the second wicket was broken 20 overs before stumps when Pollock deservedly broke through to have Yasir Hameed caught by Gibbs for 21.

Earlier, South Africa added 22 runs to their overnight score of 256-9.

Umar took his fourth catch of the innings when he caught Paul Adams (14) in the slips. Makhaya Ntini remained unbeaten on 16.

Seamer Shabbir Ahmad finished with 4-74 while leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and Abdul Razzaq both returned 2-68.

Pakistan: Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Asim Kamal, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Neil McKenzie, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Robin Peterson, Paul Adams, Makhaya Ntini