Misbah and Shafiq slow Proteas

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A dogged stand from Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq frustrated South Africa as they sought a swift finish to the first Test against Pakistan in Johannesburg.

The Proteas declared midway through the morning session on 275 for three, a lead of 479, with hopes of wrapping up victory today.

Yet Pakistan, who were all out for a lowest-ever Test score of 49 in the first innings, proved much tougher to remove second time around as they ended the penultimate day on 183 for four.

Misbah and Shafiq put on an unbeaten 101 as they batted through the final session of the day to lift the tourists' spirits.

Things had all looked so straightforward for South Africa this morning. AB de Villiers, who had resumed on 63, swiftly advanced to his 15th Test century, from 117 balls, before Graeme Smith called his team in, with Hashim Amla unbeaten on 74.

Misbah ul-Haq, pictured, and Asad Shafiq will return tomorrow as Pakistan try to shoot down South Africa's huge victory target

Although opener Mohammad Hafeez suffered another failure, departing for two to go with his six in the first innings, Nasir Jamshed was the first to show that Pakistan would represent a different proposition this time around.

After striking eight fours he eventually departed early in the afternoon, four short of a half-century, when Dale Steyn had him caught at midwicket.

That left Pakistan on 64 for two and only six runs had been added when Azhar Ali was trapped lbw by Jacques Kallis for 18.

The Proteas were plotting another Pakistan collapse as Younus Khan fell for 15, caught behind off Morne Morkel, but Misbah and Shafiq resisted.

Things subsequently improved for Pakistan in the final session of the day as the South African bowlers toiled.

Shafiq stroked a four to bring up his fifty off 117 balls and reached the close unbeaten on 53, with Misbah alongside on 44.