Yousuf stroked 117 in Pakistan’s total of 265-9, while Shoaib Malik made 56 from 52 balls in a crucial fourth-wicket stand of 107. Ironically, Malik failed to hit a single boundary four but did manage four sixes.

South Africa’s reply was dominated by skipper Graeme Smith’s top score 65 but when he was dismissed, caught behind off spinner Abdur Rehman, the score was 140-6 and there appeared no realistic way back for the Proteas.

Shaun Pollock (37 off 46 balls) and Albie Morkel (31 from 28) rallied with a stand of 55 in seven overs though when Morkel fell, South Africa’s hopes faltered with him and they were bowled out for 240 with three balls left.

Umar Gul (3-59) and Rao Iftikhar Anjum (3-43) shared six wickets. It was Gul, in fact, who took the first wicket of Herschelle Gibbs, lbw for a duck, and when Sohail Tanvir dismissed Jacques Kallis the score was 4-2. It was always likely to be tough from that position.

The series is now tied at 1-1 with the third game on Tuesday in Faisalabad.