Pakistan v South Africa: Alvrio Petersen and Graeme Smith set strong platform

Lunch South Africa 101 for 0 (Smith 48*, Petersen 51*) v Pakistan

Alviro Petersen built on an early reprieve to register a positive half-century as he and Graeme Smith took South Africa to 101 for 0 at lunch on the opening day in Dubai. Petersen should have gone for 9, but Daryl Harper failed to spot an edge and the opener made the most of his second chance with a 69-ball fifty as South Africa set a base for a commanding first-innings total.

Dubai Sports City became the 102nd Test venue and, with the ground never having hosted a first-class match, the surface was an unknown quantity although spin is expected to play a major role with both teams playing two frontline slow bowlers. There was an early indication that the surface wouldn't have too much pace when an edge from Petersen fell well short of second slip, but he shouldn't have lasted much longer.

In the third over of the day Umar Gul produced a perfect leg-cutter which squared-up Petersen and took the edge to the new wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal - making his debut in place of Zulqarnain Haider - only for Harper to turn down the appeal. The replays weren't good for Harper as they confirmed a healthy edge and once again put him under scrutiny. With just two quicks in the side, Pakistan desperately needed an early breakthrough and deserved better for their early effors.

Both Gul and Wahab Riaz made life hard work for the South Africa openers although they couldn't break the partnership and spin was on by the 10th over. Abdur Rehman was greeted by a confident lofted drive from Petersen, but almost had a wicket in his next over when Adnan did a passable impression of his brother, Kamran, by failing to glove a stumping chance after Smith was beaten by a delivery which turned from the footmarks.

Pakistan quickly appeared a pace bowler short as Misbah-ul-Haq was forced to implement a twin-spin attack inside the first hour. Saeed Ajmal's first over cost 11 as the batsmen became increasingly aggressive having weathered the early pressure. Petersen led the way with a strong sweep and another example of swift footwork when he lofted Rehman over mid-off.

Inevitably, Pakistan's poor fielding made an appearance within the first two hours when Azhar Ali fumbled at short fine-leg with Smith scrambling to turn around mid-pitch having been sent back by Petersen. In flat conditions, with batsmen entrenched, maintaining fielding skills is vital. Smith lived a charmed life as he twice played and missed at Riaz's second spell, spooned a pull just over midwicket and had problems with Ajmal but battled through to lunch.

Pakistan suffered a major blow shortly before the toss when Mohammad Yousuf was ruled out with a leg injury which put more pressure on the recalled Misbah and Younis Khan. However, after the initial exchanges it appeared they would have a long time to wait before their chance came to bat.