Batsman Temba Bavuma acknowledges South Africa will have to navigate challenging conditions in pursuit of a 149-run target on day three of the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday.

Thursday saw the Proteas bowled out for 223, after which the opposition responded with 190 all out. They had managed 181 in their first innings.

‘The pitch is a bit tricky, there is sideways movement. Centurion, as we know, can get a bit up and down, so there is something there for the bowlers. The batsmen will have to knuckle down,’ said Bavuma.

“But you can definitely bat on it. You just have to have a good game plan.’

The right-handed Bavuma struck a steady 53 in the home side’s first innings. His 87-delivery stay featured nine fours – and stonewalled an opposition seam attack spearheaded by Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi for over two hours.

‘I thought the bowlers could get my number at any time. You just have to get into good positions, and when the bad ball presents itself, put it away,’ he added.

‘Hopefully I don’t have to put on my pads tomorrow. We want to kill off that target as soon as possible.’

Photo: Gallo