Evening session - South Africa 128 for three
Graeme Smith knew someone was going to have to find a significant weight of runs in this Test to cover the absence of Hashim Amla.
By the look of the South African captain’s doughty vigil here, he is intent on being just that person.
The left-handed opener rode his luck as he blunted the spikey new-ball attack of Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan.
He was unbeaten on 67 at the close, as the Proteas reached stumps with a lead of 29 runs.
Saeed Ajmal had kept Pakistan in the game, though, by dislodging Dean Elgar - Amla’s replacement - and Jacques Kallis.
Afternoon session - Pakistan 99 all out, South Africa 44-1
Zulfiqar Babar, the left-arm spinner and late-bloomer extraordinaire, lifted Pakistan’s spirits after they capitulated to a meagre 99 all out midway through the afternoon session.
The 34 year old, who is playing just his second Test having debuted in Abu Dhabi last week, removed Alviro Peterson in his first over after the tourists had reached 37 for no loss.
It was a brief mercy for the Pakistanis, however, after they had surrendered so meekly with the bat.
Imran Tahir, the Pakistani journeyman who plays for South Africa, completed a five wicket haul as the nominal series hosts failed to reach three figures despite opting to have first use of the wicket in Dubai.
Morning session - Pakistan 60 for 6
Graeme Smith said on the eve of the Test he wanted South Africa to get their edge back straight away after their loss in Abu Dhabi.
It took them all of two deliveries at Dubai International Cricket Stadium to do so, as Dale Steyn sent back the Abu Dhabi centurion Khurram Manzoor without scoring.
From then on, the away side made a joke of Misbah ul Haq’s decision to bat first after winning the toss.
Imran Tahir was brought in to replace Robin Peterson, the left-arm spinner who was ineffectual in the opening Test in Abu Dhabi.
The Pakistan-born leg-spinner had an immediate impact, picking up three cheap wickets in the opening session.
The Proteas were forced to make a change to their batting line up, too. Hashim Amla is back in Durban for the birth of his second child, so Deal Elgar came in to replace him.
Their other kingpin, the fast bowler Steyn, did pass a morning fitness test on a tight hamstring to take the new ball.
The session unquestionably belonged to South Africa when they added five more wickets after Steyn fired out Manzoor.
Morne Morkel strapped Azhar Ali in front. Steyn had Younis Khan caught at the wicket, while Tahir accounted for Shan Masood, captain Misbah and Adnan Akmal.
