Dean Elgar has called out the Proteas’ poor batting performance on Tuesday as sub-par after they failed to capitalise on excellent batting conditions in Karachi.

Captain Quinton de Kock didn’t hesitate to bat first after having won the toss at the start of play.

But, despite most batsmen getting decent starts, the Proteas drastically failed to score big against Pakistan.

READ: Proteas bowlers redeem miserable batting effort in Karachi

Elgar top-scored with 58 as the Proteas were bowled out for 220 in the afternoon session. The worrying signs, though, were how a handful of batsmen threw their wickets away at critical stages of the innings.

‘It’s a very, very underpar score on that pitch. We didn’t bat particularly well. We’ve not fulfilled our potential, especially with the way we prepared leading up to this Test,’ Elgar told reporters after the first day’s play.

Both Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma were run out, having looked in good nick, while Elgar, De Kock and George Linde, who batted well for his 35, played loose and unnecessary shots to depart.

Fortunately for the batsmen, the Proteas bowlers hit their straps from the start, with Kagiso Rabada in particular bowling with real intent.

The hosts slumped to 33-4 at stumps, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje adding wickets late in the day.

‘I think we are on top, which is not something I would have said after our first innings,’ Elgar added.

‘We would have paid good money to have them four down for such a low score. If we can try and emulate the way we started with the ball we can really knuckle down, build a lot of pressure, then a lot of chances will come our way. We know the importance of the first hour, and our fast bowlers will bring the intensity again, which they pride themselves on.’