LAHORE, Oct 19: A career-best haul of seven for 128 by South African left-arm spinner Paul Adams restricted Pakistan to an 81-run first innings lead as debutant Asim Kamal missed a century by one run on the third day of the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Adams, who is the only spinner in the South African team, was a completely different bowler after a disappointing two for 70 on Saturday. He conceded only 58 runs on Sunday to claim five more scalps as Pakistan lost initiative to be all out for 401 in reply to the visitors’ total of 320.

South Africa had already wiped out the deficit to reach close of play, which arrived four overs ahead of schedule because of poor light, at 99-1 in the second innings.

South Africa lost their skipper Graeme Craig Smith, who needlessly chased an outswinger from paceman Shoaib Akhtar  and was caught by Taufiq Umar at first slip for 12 with the South Africa total at 43.

Opener Hershelle Gibbs, who was dropped by wicket-keeper Moin Khan at 13, then applied himself for an unbeaten 56 off 105 balls. His innings included a six off Shoaib Akhtar and seven boundaries.

  Gibbs with Boeta Dippenaar (25, three fours, 138 minutes) had added 56 runs so far in the unbroken second wicket partnership  in 83 minutes.

Earlier, Asim and Shoaib Malik added another 47 runs in  their fifth-wicket partnership to set a new record of 99 runs  against South Africa, eclipsing the previous record of 54 by Yousuf Youhana and Faisal Iqbal at Cape Town in 2003.

Shoaib provided Adams with his third wicket at the total of 322 — the only wicket to fall before lunch.

After lunch, South Africa made quick breakthroughs as the last five Pakistani batsmen fell for the addition of only 79 runs.

Asim was the first to go being when he was bowled by pacer Andre Nel. Asim become the third player in the world to be dismissed for 99 on Test debut. The other two were A.G. Chiperfield (Australia) against England at Nottingham in 1934 and R.J. Christiani (West Indies) against England at Bridgetown in 1947-48.

Asim, in the process, was the ninth Pakistani to be out for 99, joining a group that includes Maqsood Ahmad, Mushtaq Mohammad, Majid Khan, Javed Miandad, Mudassar Nazar, Aamir Sohail, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saleem Malik who was out twice.

Asim hit 11 boundaries and one towering six during his long stay of 314 minutes.

Asim’s departure triggered a collapse and the remaining batsmen fell to Adams. Pakistan lost Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami for ducks.

Moin Khan (37, two fours, one six) with Mushtaq added 35 runs and took the total to 401. But Moin and last man Danish Kaneria lost their wickets in the same over to Adams.

Moin, who hit a six off Adams, stayed at the wicket for 128 minutes. Mushtaq, who was incorrectly sent before Shoaib Akhtar and Sami, remained unbeaten at 14 with two fours.

For his efforts, Adams toiled through 45 overs. Nel finished with 2-67 while Shaun Pollock had 1-48.