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 ABU DHABI: Pakistan's tail wagged to help their team avoid the follow-on against South Africa on the fourth day of the second Test at Abu Dhabi Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite losing Misbah-ul-Haq (77) off the first delivery of the day, Pakistan reached 412-8 at lunch with Abdul Rehman unbeaten on a career-best 41 and Tanveer Ahmed on 30, contributing 59 runs for the ninth wicket.

By the break Pakistan trailed South Africa's first innings total of 584-9 declared by 172 runs.

Misbah was trapped leg-before by paceman Dale Steyn (4-98), obliging Pakistan to score 68 off the last three wickets to avoid the follow-on.

Rehman added 36 for the eighth wicket with Umar Gul, who scored 21, to bring Pakistan closer.

When left-arm spinner Paul Harris (3-97) trapped Gul leg-before, Pakistan needed 32 to avoid the humiliation of being asked to bat again, but Rehman hit Harris for a six and then took a single to avert the danger.

Rehman has so far hit four boundaries and a six during his fighting, 114-ball knock, improving on his best score of 25 not out made against the same opponents in Lahore three years ago.

South Africa now have little time to press for a victory in the two-match series, which is tied at 0-0 after the first Test ended in a draw in Dubai last week.