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KARACHI - Jacques Kallis scored his 25th test century to guide South Africa to a commanding 294 for three after the opening day of the first test against Pakistan at the National Stadium yesterday.
Kallis (118 not out) and Hashim Amla (71) put on 170 for the third wicket to justify captain Graeme Smith's decision to bat first on a slow pitch. Ashwell Prince was also unbeaten at the close, on three.
It was a triumphant return to the team for Kallis, who stepped down as vice-captain in August after being dropped from the Twenty20 World Cup squad.
Seam bowler Mohammad Asif broke the third-wicket stand with the fifth delivery after the second new ball, a leg-cutter clipping Amla's off stump to end a dogged innings that contained six fours and one six.
Amla made only 22 runs in 67 balls after tea in contrast to Kallis, who took 59 deliveries to sprint from 46 to reach his first century in 10 tests.
South Africa had been given a solid start of 87 by Smith (42) and Herschelle Gibbs (54) who took his total of test runs to 5,997.
Kallis, playing his 108th test, survived dropped chances on 36 and 51 to reach his second hundred against Pakistan. His ton took 147 balls and he struck 12 fours.
Pakistan also dropped Amla on one and missed a good run-out chance when he was on 31.
Kallis was dropped by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria before Salman Butt floored a straightforward chance off Hafeez.
The South Africa all-rounder made Pakistan pay with several crisp drives and by sweeping the spinners at will.
- Reuters
