All-rounder Jacques Kallis made Pakistan pay for dropping him twice by scoring an unbeaten century to help South Africa make a solid start to the first Test here on Monday.

The 31-year-old scored an unbeaten 118 for his 25th Test hundred as South Africa reached 294-3 at close on the first day after winning the toss on a dry and well-prepared pitch at the National Stadium.

Kallis, in the news for the wrong reasons after quitting the vice-captaincy over his omission from the Twenty20 world championships squad last month, shared a third-wicket stand of 170 with a resolute Hashim Amla, who made 71. Kallis hit 15 boundaries during his 224-minute stay at the crease.

He should have been out on 36 when he edged leg-spinner Danish Kaneria only for wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal to drop a regulation catch. Salman Butt then grassed a pull off Mohammad Hafeez when Kallis was on 61.
Kalli, who took 91 deliveries to score fifty, reached his second half-century off just 56 balls, hitting 11 boundaries to reach his ton, his second against Pakistan.

Amla hit six boundaries and a six during his 225-minute knock.
He was also let off on one when Misbah-ul Haq spilled a catch off skipper Shoaib Malik.
The lapses allowed Kallis and Amla to continue untroubled before paceman Mohammad Asif bowled Amla in the second over with the new ball.

Earlier, South Africa were given a solid opening start of 87 by Herschelle Gibbs (54) and Graeme Smith (42).
The home team received a jolt before the start of the match when prolific batsman Mohammad Youuf pulled out, citing a lack of match practice and form.

The 33-year-old last week made himself available to play for Pakistan after cancelling a contract with a rebel Indian league. “Yousuf told us that he needed time to gain match fitness and opted out on his own,” chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said.

Karachi, afp: All-rounder Jacques Kallis made Pakistan pay for dropping him twice by scoring an unbeaten century to help South Africa make a solid start to the first Test here on Monday.

The 31-year-old scored an unbeaten 118 for his 25th Test hundred as South Africa reached 294-3 at close on the first day after winning the toss on a dry and well-prepared pitch at the National Stadium.

Kallis, in the news for the wrong reasons after quitting the vice-captaincy over his omission from the Twenty20 world championships squad last month, shared a third-wicket stand of 170 with a resolute Hashim Amla, who made 71. Kallis hit 15 boundaries during his 224-minute stay at the crease.

He should have been out on 36 when he edged leg-spinner Danish Kaneria only for wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal to drop a regulation catch. Salman Butt then grassed a pull off Mohammad Hafeez when Kallis was on 61.
Kalli, who took 91 deliveries to score fifty, reached his second half-century off just 56 balls, hitting 11 boundaries to reach his ton, his second against Pakistan.

Amla hit six boundaries and a six during his 225-minute knock.
He was also let off on one when Misbah-ul Haq spilled a catch off skipper Shoaib Malik.

The lapses allowed Kallis and Amla to continue untroubled before paceman Mohammad Asif bowled Amla in the second over with the new ball.

Earlier, South Africa were given a solid opening start of 87 by Herschelle Gibbs (54) and Graeme Smith (42).
The home team received a jolt before the start of the match when prolific batsman Mohammad Youuf pulled out, citing a lack of match practice and form.

The 33-year-old last week made himself available to play for Pakistan after cancelling a contract with a rebel Indian league. “Yousuf told us that he needed time to gain match fitness and opted out on his own,” chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said.

SCORE BOARD

SOUTH AFRICA (I Innings)
Gibbs c Hafeez b Gul 54
Smith lbw Hafeez 42
Amla b Asif 71
Kallis (batting) 118
Prince (batting) 3
Extras (B-1, LB-2, NB-3) 6
Total (For 3 wickets, 90 overs) 294
Fall of wickets: 1-87, 2-109, 3-279.
Bowling: Mohammad Asif 18-5-51-1, Umar Gul 17-5-53-1, Danish Kaneria 23-2-76-0, Abdul Rehman 10-1-40-0, Shoaib Malik 8-2-31-0, Mohammad Hafeez 14-0-40-1.