An obstinate partnership between Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq took Pakistan from the verge of another batting disaster to a position of relative respectability against South Africa by tea on day one of the second Test at Newlands.

Both batsmen brought up half-centuries shortly before tea and took their partnership to exactly 100 for Pakistan to go into the break on 133-4.

Having been bowled out for 49 in the first Test in Johannesburg, Pakistan supporters might have assumed the worst after South Africa won the toss and reduced the tourists to 33-4.

But Younis’ unbeaten 54, and Shafiq’s unbeaten 50, ensured there would be no repeat of that embarrassment as they ground out the second session.