First Test, Dubai (day two, stumps):
South Africa 380 v Pakistan 144-2
Match scorecard

Paceman Umar Gul celebrates after taking a wicket in Dubai

Pakistan fought back strongly on day two of the first Test against South Africa in Dubai to leave the outcome of the match in the balance.

They picked up the last eight South African wickets for 71, dismissing Graeme Smith's side for 380.

Paceman Umar Gul and left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman were the most successful bowlers with three wickets each.

Mohammad Hafeez (62) and Taufiq Umar (42) then shared a stand of 105 as Pakistan reached 144-2 at the close.

South Africa's total must have come as a disappointment to Smith, whose century on the opening day seemed to have laid the foundation for a total in excess of 400.

But their hopes of doing so were undermined early on as Gul removed nightwatchman Paul Harris, AB de Villiers and Ashwell Prince in the first 12 overs of play.

Mark Boucher also went cheaply, trapped lbw by Rehman, and Pakistan then took the key wicket of Jacques Kallis, who had progressed to 73 but then edged a ball from Saeed Ajmal to debutant keeper Adnan Akmal.

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Tail-enders Johan Botha, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel each contributed 10, but Rehman and Ajmal accounted for Botha and Morkel to bring the innings to a close.

Encouraged by the success of their bowlers, Hafeez and Taufiq set off at a canter at the start of Pakistan's reply.

They brought up the 50 partnership at a rate of a run per ball and forced Smith to turn early to spin in order to rein in the scoring.

Hafeez reached his first Test fifty for four years from 58 balls but then suffered a rush of blood and lofted a simple catch to mid-on after trying to hit the left-arm spin of Harris over the top.

South Africa struck again five overs later when Morkel won an lbw decision against the left-handed Taufiq to end his first Test innings since August 2006.

With 17 overs to go before the close, it was vital for Pakistan to consolidate and former skipper Younus Khan was the ideal man for the job, making an unbeaten 21 while the less experienced Azhar Ali dropped anchor to end the day on 12 not out.

There was, however, bad news for Pakistan when fast bowler Wahab Riaz was ruled out of the rest of the match and the second Test because of a side strain.

"He needs four to five weeks for recovery before rehabilitation, so he will return to Pakistan after the first Test," said team manager Intikhab Alam.

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