If Smith reaches a century, Pakistan's problems will heighten

Graeme Smith's stoic innings helped South Africa cement their strong position over Pakistan after day three of the second Test in Lahore.

Smith hit an unbeaten 75 as the tourists reached 154-2 to lead by 305.

Pakistan will need to chase a huge score for the victory they to square Inzamam-ul-Haq's final Test series.

Makhaya Ntini took a triple-wicket maiden to hasten the home team's decline, as they were all out for 206, Inzamam dismissed for just 14.

Pakistan began Wednesday's play on 140-4, but were rattled by two early wickets - the first falling in only the second over when Jacques Kallis induced Inzamam into a defensive edge to Mark Boucher.

Inzamam was left with an aggregate of 8,827 Test runs, still five behind Javed Miandad's Pakistan Test record, established in 1993.

Ntini's triple-wicket maiden hit Pakistan hard in Lahore

Soon afterwards Shoaib Malik departed to Dale Steyn, caught at short-leg off bat and pad.

The double blow left Misbah-ul-Haq, 10 not out overnight, with a huge task on his hands.

He was able to cobble together a partnership with Abdur Rehman worth 39 - though Rehman was dropped by Boucher off Andre Nel before he scoring.

While Rehman got through to lunch, unbeaten on 24, Misbah eventually edged Ntini to Boucher on 41, before Umar Gul was trapped lbw first ball.

Danish Kaneria edged the hat-trick ball inches short of second slip, but gave Boucher an unprecedented 400th Test dismissal before the over was out.

In the first over after the interval, Paul Harris picked up the final wicket, of Mohammad Asif.

South Africa already had a lead of 151, and Smith looked in the mood to extend that as far as possible.

They did lose two wickets before tea - a leaden-footed Herschelle Gibbs edging Gul behind, and Amla playing all round a delivery from Rehman to be bowled.

Asif was in pain in his elbow and he will have a MRI scan on Thursday to assess his injury Talat Ali Pakistan manager

But the dependable Kallis proved the perfect foil to a the more adventurous Smith in the final session.

Their unbroken 88-run stand left Pakistan with their backs firmly to the wall, and Smith eagerly targeting his first century of the tour.

Pakistan's bowling options were limited by an elbow injury to spearhead bowler Asif.

Having bowled 34 overs in the first innings, he managed just four in the second before walking off.

"Asif was in pain in his elbow and he will have a MRI scan on Thursday to assess his injury," said team manager Talat Ali.

Proteas spinner Harris, one of the success stories of the series, said his team looked good to clinch the series.

"We are confident about our position in the Test. It is not an easy pitch to bat as it is definitely deteriorating, and up and down for both spinners and seamers," he said.

Pakistan vice-captain Salman Butt said the host team's bowlers had not performed at their best in the series.

"The wickets were prepared for the spinners but they didn't get the South African batsmen out for low scores," he said.