Zubayr Hamza and Theunis de Bruyn took the Proteas past the 200-run mark at the tea break on day one of the third Test against Pakistan.
The Proteas got off to a solid start after winning the toss and electing to bat. Aiden Markram led the way for the Proteas, scoring his fifth career Test half-century as the home side went into the lunch break on 108-1.
Pakistan, however, found some decent movement in the first session and dismissed stand-in captain Dean Elgar for five.
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Markram continued his form after the break as he looked to convert his fifth half-century into a fifth ton, but he lost his wicket feathering a ball drifting down-leg, Sarfraz Ahmed diving to his left.
Markram walked back to the pavilion visibly disappointed, having lost his wicket for the third time in the nervous 90s, as Pakistan enjoyed a crucial breakthrough.
Hashim Amla was next to go after scoring a solid 41, Amla playing at a ball short of a length just outside off, but succeeding only in edging it to Asad Shafiq, who hung on to a delightful two-handed catch at slip.
Theunis de Bruyn (who has struggled for form this series) was joined by debutant Zubayr Hamza with the Proteas on 154-3 and the pair pushed the Proteas past the 200-run mark with some confident and assured stroke play.
Both batsmen looked in top form at the break for tea, De Bruyn finishing on 48 and Hamza on a solid 38, the latter’s innings including five fours and a six.
South Africa 226-3 – Aiden Markram (90), Hashim Amla (41), Theunis de Bruyn (48), Zubayr Hamza (38); Mohammad Abbas (1-34)
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
