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Ton-up Smith boosts South Africa

Captain Graeme Smith’s 22nd century and three half-centuries steered S Africa to a dominant position on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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South Africa reached 311-3 at the end of day one with Jacques Kallis unbeaten on 53 and nightwatchman Paul Harris not out on 0.

Two century partnerships — 153 for the first wicket and 117 for third — gave South Africa, who won the Twenty20 and ODI series already, a perfect start in the Test series as well.

Smith smashed 100, while opener Alviro Petersen (67), Hashim Amla (80) and Kallis also starred for South Africa, who batted first after winning the toss.

Smith, though started a bit shaky, found his touch soon and kept the scoreboard ticking with some quick singles. The 29-year-old left-hander faced 152 balls and struck eight fours. He also survived a stumping chance earlier as debutant wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal failed to collect an Abdur Rehman delivery that spun sharply.

The skipper fell soon after completing his century as his attempt to clear a Wahab Riaz delivery failed when Taufeeq Umar took a clean catch at deep backward square leg.

Smith’s dismissal brought down the run-rate a bit, but Amla, who was in top form during the ODI series, and Kallis continued the good work.

Amla missed out on a deserving century when he fell towards the close of play, edging a Riaz delivery to wicketkeeper Akmal, who celebrated his first scalp.

Petersen, who survived a confident caught behind appeal during Umar Gul’s opening spell when batting on nine, was the first to go when he pulled one from Rehman and Younis Khan took an excellent catch at midwicket. He was quite lucky as television replays showed that Australian umpire Daryl Harper erred in his decision as Petersen had edged Gul to Akmal. Petersen, playing his fifth Test, made 67 from 118 balls with the help of nine fours.

It was hard work for Pakistan bowlers on a perfect batting strip, with some umpiring decisions also going against them. With the pitch likely to assist spinners in the following days, Pakistan would have to take some early wickets on Saturday to get back in to the match. To make matters worse, Riaz picked up a side strain after taking the wicket of Amla.

Riaz was impressive, taking two wickets for 61 from his 18 overs. Gul, though went wicket-less, bowled well, while Rehman delivered 27 overs for 1-91. Saeed Ajmal too bowled 25 overs, giving away 77 runs. Surprisingly, part-time off spinner Mohammed Hafeez, who bowled brilliantly during the ODIs, was used for only one over.

The day also turned out to be a historic one for Dubai stadium, which hosted its inaugural Test and became the 102^nd Test venue in the world.

Yousuf out

Meanwhile, Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has been ruled out of the Test series with a groin injury and will return home.

“He has got medical advice and been told to rest the injury for some 10 days which puts him out of contention for the second test as well. He will return home soon and take rest to prepare for the tour to New Zealand next month,” Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam said.

36-year old Yousuf pulled out of the first Test after sustaining the injury during training.

SCOREBOARD

South Africa 1^st innings

• G. Smith c Taufiq b Riaz 100
• A. Petersen c Younis b Rehman 67
• Hashim Amla c Adnan b Riaz 80
• J. Kallis not out 53
• P. Harris not out 0

Extras: (b6, lb2, nb2, w1) 11

Total: (for three wkts 89.3 overs) 311

Fall of wickets: 1-153 (Petersen), 2-190 (Smith), 3-307 (Amla)

Bowling: Gul 18.3-2-73-0 (1nb), Riaz 18-3-61-2 (1nb,1w), Rehman 27-2-91-1, Ajmal 25-5-77-0, Hafeez 1-0-1-0

Pakistan

Taufiq Umer, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali, Misbah-ul-Haq, Adnan Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal

Toss: South Africa

Umpires: Asoka de Silva (SRI) and Daryl Harper (AUS)

TV umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)