Batsmen Prosper As South Africa Dominate Pakistan

Batsmen Prosper As South Africa Dominate Pakistan

Alviro Petersen (left) and Hashim Amla both scored half-centuries as South Africa moved to a strong position in Dubai

©REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

South Africa 311-3 (Smith 100, Amla 80, Petersen 67) v Pakistan
First Test, Dubai, day one
Scorecard

South Africa's top four batsmen all passed 50 as the Proteas piled up 311 for three on day one of the opening Test against Pakistan in Dubai.

Graeme Smith went on to score exactly 100 while Hashim Amla (80), Alviro Petersen (67) and Jacques Kallis (53 not out) also asserted themselves on the Pakistan bowling attack.

Weakened by the absence of Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Danish Kaneria, they were unable to prevent partnerships developing.

Smith, who faced 152 balls during his 22nd Test century, added 153 for the opening wicket with Petersen before Amla and Kallis, who have a history of forging big stands, put on 117 for the third wicket.

Smith pulled Wahab Riaz to Taufeeq Umar in the deep, Petersen was caught by Younus Khan off Abdul Rehman and Amla pushed at a wide delivery from Riaz late in the day to give debutant wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal his first catch in international cricket.

Nightwatchman Paul Harris used up 11 balls without scoring to be unbeaten overnight alongside Kallis, who faced 106 balls and registered his 54th half-century in Tests.

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