CENTURION, South Africa (AP) — Opening batsman Aiden Markram neared his eighth Test century, leading South Africa to 180-5 at lunch on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan on Friday.

South Africa, who need to win one of two Test matches against Pakistan to secure a place in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next year, trail the visitors by 31 points on a pitch tailor-made for fast bowlers.

Markram hit an attractive 81 off 123 balls before Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the second half of the first session, with captain Temba Bavuma (31) and David Bedingham (30) both behind the wickets.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne had yet to score but Markram stood well in the first session, helping South Africa score 98 runs before lunch for the loss of two wickets.

At 82-3, Markram completed his half-century with an exquisite cover-drive boundary off Naseem Shah and extended the fourth wicket stand with Bavuma to 70 runs before Pakistan made their first breakthrough.

Aamer Jamal was rewarded for his persistent length balls against Bavuma when the South African captain finally got a thick outside edge on a loose drive.

Bedingham counterattacked from the start, breaking five boundaries with his 33-ball effort and also surviving as Pakistan unsuccessfully sought an lbw television review against Naseem Shah’s full pitch advance, which TV replays said would have missed leg stump.

However, Naseem didn’t have to wait long as Bedingham was beaten by an extra bounce and scored first slip in the penultimate over before lunch.

Pakistan were dismissed for 211 on the first day after Dane Paterson (5-61) took his second five-wicket haul in a row and debutant Corbin Bosch took 4-63, including a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket belonged.

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