Pat Perez takes halfway lead ahead of Xander Schauffele in Malaysia

Pat Perez birdied six of his final eight holes to grab a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the weather-affected CIMB Classic.

The American's fast finish saw him post a seven-under 65 at TPC Kuala Lumpur set the pace, with Tour Championship winner Xander Schauffele his nearest challenger on 12 under.

Overnight leader Cameron Smith sits four strokes back in a share of third alongside Thomas Pieters and Sung Kang, as Paul Casey moved back into contention with a round-of-the-day 63.

Play was suspended for nearly four hours mid-round due to thunderstorms, although all players were able to get their rounds completed once play resumed at 2.15pm local time.

Beginning on the back nine, Perez bounced back from an early blemish at the 12th to birdie his next two holes and fire more four consecutive gains from the second.

Back-to-back birdies over his final two holes gave Perez the outright advantage, as Schuaffele mixed four gains and an eagle with a sole blemish to card a five-under 67.

Pieters fired five birdies in a blemish-free 67 to get to nine under, with Kang birdieing three off his first five holes on his way to a 68 and Smith following up his opening-round 64 with a one-under 71.

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Defending champion Justin Thomas heads into the weekend 10 strokes off the pace after a one-under 71, with Ian Poulter a further shot adrift following a second-round 74.

Watch the CIMB Classic throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 4am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.