- Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada praised the batting display of team-mates Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen.
- Both batsmen fell minutes before the close of play on Day 3 with the Proteas on 187/4 - a lead of 29 runs.
- Rabada, who picked up his 200th Test wicket, predicted that the Karachi pitch could turn a bit more the longer the match goes on.
There was a timeous return to form for Proteas opener Aiden Markram as he recorded a gritty half-century one day three of the first Test against Pakistan in Karachi on Thursday.
Markram hit an 85-ball 74 and shared a vital 127 second-wicket partnership with Rassie van der Dussen, who scored a 64.
Markram, who only boasts 22 Tests, had suffered a wretched bout of form and recently earned his place back in the Test side.
The 26-year-old had been under pressure to perform but he broke his poor subcontinent form with his eighth half-century.
Markram and Van der Dussen batted together for a large part of the day as they took the tourists to 175/1.
After picking up his 200th Test wicket, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada lauded the partnership of the duo, stating that they gave the team "a real chance" before the late meltdown.
"His (Markram's) innings today was extremely important, his partnership with Rassie brought us back into the game and gave us a chance," said Rabada, who took 3/70.
"I've known him from age-group level... we have conversations about cricket together. He has applied himself well and working on his game, and he wants to be here...
"He has gone through challenges just as we all do, and his job was to overcome them... we are constantly in the spotlight and we are constantly being criticised even though we criticise ourselves more than anyone else. Those are just some of the challenges faced by a player," Rabada continued.
"I'm glad he got runs today, he probably would've loved to get a hundred and would be disappointed that he didn't. He and Rassie gave us a real chance in the Test match so far."
The Proteas, however, limped to 187/4 in a final half-hour collapse which saw Markram, Van der Dussen and Faf du Plessis (10) all depart.
Rabada, though, insisted he wasn't concerned on how the Karachi wicket was performing.
"It's played quite consistently, if anything, it's going to deteriorate. It seems as if the ball is turning a bit, it seems like the hardball is having invariable bounce more than when the ball gets softer. It's key with the new ball," said Rabada.
"Looking at the way we batted in the first innings and Pakistan, I wouldn't say that this pitch has a lot of demons that would cause you concern. There's enough of a concern walking in to bat as Pakistan have a great bowling attack. It is turning a bit more and variable bounce I feel will play more of a role as the game goes on."
After lunch, Proteas opener Dean Elgar (29) was the first batsman dismissed by leg-spinner Yasir Shah. This came after Elgar received medical attention when he was hit on the left arm by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
A statement from the Proteas confirmed that Elgar went for x-rays and that he had no fracture, although he would continue to be monitored overnight and on Friday.
Rabada was optimistic that Elgar would overcome the nasty blow.
"It's unfortunate, it's just one of those things. He has been a warrior for us ever since he started playing. It's something that he embodies and pours onto the rest of us - that's his character. He just got hit by a ball, anyone can get hit by one."
The Proteas have a lead of 29 and will resume on 187/4, with Quinton de Kock (0*) and nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj (2*) in the middle.
Day 4 is set to get underway at 07:00 (SA time) on Friday.
- Compiled by Sport24 staff