South Africa beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the second Test in Rawalpindi on Thursday to draw the series 1-1 with Simon Harmer taking a maiden five-wicket haul.

South Africa's Keshav Maharaj took seven wickets before the visitors ground their way to 185-4 to leave the second Pakistan Test in the balance on Tuesday in Rawalpindi.

The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa was set for a thrilling conclusion after rival spinners Noman Ali and Senuran Muthusamy wrought destruction on day three in Lahore on Tuesday.

Pakistan rode on a brilliant 93 from Imam-ul-Haq to reach 313-5 after a brief fightback from South Africa on the opening day of the first Test in Lahore on Sunday.

Pakistan made a below-par 270 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium but fought back through their bowlers later, only to go down by a wicket in a thrilling contest.

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in Chennai today.

If Pakistan envisage reaching the semifinals at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup then they simply must find their best form and defeat a surging South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today.