Karachi, October 1:

Jacques Kallis hit an unbeaten century on Monday to put South Africa in a strong position on the first day of the first Test.

South Africa finished the opening day with a healthy 294-3, with Kallis not out on 118 off 192 balls — his 25th Test century — while Hashim Amla scored a solid 71 with six fours and a six. Paceman Mohammad Asif broke the 170-run stand late in the day when he bowled Amla off his fourth delivery with the second new ball.

South Africa lost a wicket in each of the first two sessions as Pakistan bowlers struggled under sweltering heat. Herschelle Gibbs — without a century in his last 21 Test matches — scored 54 off 106 balls with eight boundaries. Earlier, captain Graeme Smith (42) justified his decision to bat first with an 87-run opening partnership.