Kallis wrestles control for South Africa

South Africa 250-5 v Pakistan

An undefeated 104 by Jacques Kallis saw South Africa to a first innings score of 250 for 5 before bad light halted play yesterday at Kingsmead in the first of two Tests against Pakistan. It was Kallis's 11th Test century and his first against Pakistan. He faced 204 balls and batted for 284 minutes, striking 11 fours and a six.

Having been asked to bat under grey skies it had been a struggle for most of the day for the South Africans, who were never able to completely dominate a depleted Pakistan bowling attack.

Saqlain Mushtaq conceded 87 runs in his 29 overs, but picked up two wickets in consecutive overs to have South Africa struggling at 171 for 4. The off-spinner removed Gary Kirsten for 56, well caught at slip, then claimed his 200th Test wicket when Boeta Dippenaar flashed at a rising delivery outside the off stump which took a faint edge on the way to the wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

Prior to that, Kirsten and Kallis had put on a 122-run partnership for the third wicket after rebuilding the innings from a shaky start, when both Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs fell to the opening attack.

First day; Pakistan won toss

SOUTH AFRICA – First Innings

G C Smith c Kamran b Mohammad Sami 16

H H Gibbs c Faisal Iqbal b Waqar Younis 11

G Kirsten c Younis Khan b Saqlain Mushtaq 56

J H Kallis not out 104

H H Dippenaar c Kamran Akmal b Saqlain 1

N D McKenzie b Waqar Younis. 24

ÝM V Boucher not out. 13

Extras (b4 lb3 nb18) 25

Total (for 5, 75.3 overs) 250

Fall: 1-27 2-33 3-155 4-159 5-214.

To bat: *S M Pollock, N Boje, M Ntini, M Hayward.

Bowling: Waqar Younis 17-3-54-2; Mohammad Sami 17-3-59-1; Abdur Razzaq 12.3 1-43-0; Saqlain Mushtaq 29-2-87-2.

PAKISTAN: Taufeeq Umar, Saleem Elahi, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Faisal Iqbal, ÝKamran Akmal, Abdur Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq, *Waqar Younis, Mohammad Sami.

Umpires: S A Bucknor (WI), S Venkataraghavan (Ind).