Lahore, October 9:

South Africa hit back and took a grip on the second Test on the second day here on Tuesday after Pakistan spoiled their solid start.

The home team were precariously placed at 140-4 when bad light stopped play eight overs before schedule in reply to South Africa’s first innings total of 357.

Salman Butt (40) and Kamran Akmal (52) gave Pakistan a confident start of 90 before the home team lost three wickets in the space of just nine runs.

Earlier, Pakistan squandered the first day’s initiative when Mark Boucher scored 54 and a career-best 46 from Paul Harris took the tourists to a respectable total after resuming at 259-6. Kaneria claimed 4-114, while Gul finished with 3-103.