Pakistan spinners Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali grabbed three wickets in the space of 10 runs shortly before the close to halt South Africa’s fightback on Day Three of the first Test here on Thursday.

It looked as though South Africa would end the day at parity after wiping out Pakistan’s big 158-run first innings lead, but Yasir struck twice and Nauman once to leave the tourists on 187-4 at close, a lead of just 29 with six second innings wickets in hand.