South Africa on top after Pakistan bowled out easily

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 South Africa's Aiden Markram in action REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Opener Aiden Markram made a return to form as he scored 78 to help South Africa into a strong position on the opening day of the second test against Pakistan at Newlands on Thursday.

Markram's contribution put South Africa on 123 for two wickets at close, 54 runs behind after bowling out Pakistan for 177 at tea.

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 Pakistan's Shan Masood celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Aiden Markram (not pictured) REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

South Africa, who won the first of the three-test series by six wickets in Pretoria last week, will be confident of building a substantial first-innings lead after their four-man seam attack ripped through the Pakistan batting line-up.

The 24-year-old Markram, who struggled on tour in Sri Lanka in July and in the Boxing Day test against Pakistan, was bowled on the last ball of the day by Shan Masood.

Hashim Amla, who is 24 not out, will resume on Friday with captain Faf du Plessis, who went out for a pair in the first test.

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 Pakistan's Shan Masood celebrates taking the wicket of South Africa's Aiden Markram REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

"We have to start well again and build those partnerships," said veteran bowler Dale Steyn after the close.

The solid home batting performance contrasted with Pakistan’s opening innings as they were flayed with a constant barrage of pace.

"South Africa were pretty unrelenting with all their quicks (pace bowlers)," Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said.

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 South Africa's Dale Steyn celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas with team mates REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

"We have no option but to come in tomorrow and first look to control the run rate, hopefully building pressure and get wickets."

Duanne Olivier added to his 11 wickets in the first test with four more as Du Plessis' decision to put Pakistan into bat, and go with a seam-only attack on a quick wicket, was vindicated.

Pakistan were teetering at 75-5 at lunch and lost five more wickets before tea despite 56 from captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who went out to an injudicious uppercut shot just when a fightback looked on the cards.

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 Pakistan's Mohammad Amir in action REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Masood made 44 with Olivier's figures of 4-48 bookended by Steyn, who took the first wicket of the day and the last two of the Pakistan innings for 3-48.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury and Christian Radnedge)

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed celebrates his half century with Mohammad Amir REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 South Africa's Kagiso Rabada celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan's Shan Masood REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed in action REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 South Africa's Vernon Philander celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed in action REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Cricket - South Africa v Pakistan - Second Test - PPC Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - January 3, 2019 Pakistan's Azhar Ali dives to avoid a run out REUTERS/Mike Hutchings