Smith leads from the front

Dubai - Graeme's Smith's 22nd test century set South Africa on their way to a formidable 311 for three at the close of the first day of the first test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Smith, who reached his half-century off 93 balls from the first ball after lunch, needed just another 58 deliveries to bring up his century as he looked to take the attack to the bowlers during the day's middle session.

However, the left-hander who struck eight fours during his knock, departed to the next ball that he faced after reaching his ton when his attempted pull shot off left-arm swing bowler Wahab Riaz was caught by Taufeeq Umar on the deep midwicket fence.

Smith and Alviro Petersen had combined for a first-wicket stand of 153, with Petersen weighing in with 67 in an innings that included nine fours on a wicket which offered very little assistance to the pacemen or the spinners.

But Petersen succumbed tamelyt fashion when he pulled a long-hop from left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman to Younis Khan at midwicket where the fielder took sharp, one-handed grab.

Smith departed with the score on 190 but if the hosts thought that the dismissal of South Africa's captain would let them back into the match they were to be disappointed as Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis put on 117 for the third wicket.

The partnership was ended shortly before the close of play when Amla, who scored 80 off 152 balls, edged a delivery from Riaz through to debutant wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal. Kallis was unbeaten on 53 at the close.

Pakistan's best period with the ball came during the first half hour.

In a near empty stadium, Petersen and Smith were tested by a fine new ball spell from swing bowler Umar Gul.

Petersen survived a confident caught behind appeal off the bowling of Gul when he had scored just nine.

Smith was also troubled by the same bowler, with the left-hander playing and missing on a number of occasions at the start of his innings. He eventually settled in to take full advantage of his decision to bat after winning the toss.

Scoreboard:

South Africa 1st 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)