Fawad Alam hits century as Pakistan take control of first Test against South Africa

Home side build 88-run first-innings lead by end of Day 2 in Karachi

Pakistan batsman Fawad Alam celebrates after reaching his century against South Africa during Day 2 of the first Test in Karachi, on Wednesday, January 27. AFP

Pakistan batsman Fawad Alam plays a shot on his way to a century. AFP

South Africa celebrate the dismissal of Pakistan's Azhar Ali. AFP

South Africa captain and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock drops a catch off Pakistand batsman Fawad Alam during Day 2 at the National Stadium. AFP

Pakistan's Azhar Ali plays a shot. AFP

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali celebrates after reaching 50 against South Africa. AP

South Africa's Lungi Ngid appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Pakistan batsman Mohammad Rizwan. AP

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan watches as he is caught in the slips by Faf du Plessis off the bowling of Lungi Ngidi. AFP

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan plays a shot during during the first Test. AP

Pakistan's Azhar Ali avoids a bouncer. AFP

South Africa's Faf du Plessis, left, congratulates Fawad Alam after the Pakistan batsman completed his century. AP

South Africa celebrate the dismissal of Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali. EPA

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali plays a shot. AP

Pakistan's Azhar Ali walks pack to pavilion after being dismissed for 51. AP

Faheem Ashraf plays a shot on his way to 64 for Pakistan. AFP

South African bowler Lungi Ngidi. EPA

A century from Fawad Alam helped Pakistan build an 88-run first-innings lead against South Africa in Karachi.

The hosts began the second day in trouble on 33-4 in response to South Africa's 220 all out. But Alam led an impressive fightback with a fine 109 as Pakistan reached 308 for eight at stumps.

Faheem Ashraf chipped in with 64 down the order after Azhar Ali spent almost four hours at the crease compiling 51.

Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi took two wickets apiece for South Africa, who are playing in Pakistan for the first time since 2007.

Hasan Ali (11 not out) and Nauman Ali (6 not out) will resume on the third morning and look to push the Pakistan lead past 100 on a wicket that is expected to get progressively lower, slower and take more turn.

Fawad and Azhar (51) put on 94 for the fifth wicket before the latter was caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock off spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-71).

Mohammad Rizwan added a breezy 33 but steered seamer Lungi Ngidi (2-55) to a diving Faf du Plessis at wide first slip.

The unorthadox Fawad, who takes a bizarre front-on stance at the crease, put on a further 102 with Ashraf  as they took the attack to the tourists.

The partnership ended when Fawad clipped the ball to Temba Bavuma at mid-wicket off the bowling of Ngidi, with Faheem following just before the close, playing a delivery from Anrich Nortje (2-84) onto his own stumps.

Kagiso Rabada started the day on 199 Test wickets and ends the day with the same number as he found no success despite bowling tight lines.

It remained very much Pakistan’s day, however, with only four wickets falling after 14 dismissals on day one.

The tourists bowled without luck but were guilty of missing a number of sharp chances in the field to leave themselves an uphill battle to save the test.