Cricket: Umar's ton in record stand.

TAUFEEQ Umar's fourth Test century and a gritty 49 not out by debutant Asim Kamal yesterday put Pakistan in a strong position on the second day of the first Test against South Africa in Lahore.

Taufeeq's second successive century against South Africa and Kamal's innings from 119 balls took Pakistan to 275 for four, only 45 runs short of the South African first-innings total of 320.

Kamal, the eighth player to make his Test debut for Pakistan this home season, and Shoaib Malik (27 not out) also saw off the second new ball, taken at 223 for four. They had completed an unbeaten stand of 52 runs by the close.

Taufeeq, whose previous innings against South Africa was 135 at Cape Town in the second Test last January, was caught and bowled by spin bowler Paul Adams after facing 247 balls and batting for 322 minutes, hitting 16 fours.

His innings laid the foundation for Pakistan's strong reply.

Taufeeq produced Pakistan's best opening stand against South Africa, sharing 109 with Imran Farhat (41) before adding 63 in 149 balls with Kamal, who survived a close leg-before appeal on his first ball from Andre Nel.

Taufeeq has scored 391 runs in five innings against South Africa at an average of 78.

He played with confidence and fluency in his comeback innings after being forced to miss the recent series against Bangladesh and one-day rubber against South Africa with a knee injury.

When he was out after tea, skipper Graeme Smith immediately took the second new ball after 80 overs as he sorely missed a second spinner on a slow pitch.

Kamal, although watchful in defence, played the best shot of the day, a nonchalant pull for six off Pollock.

South Africa's only success before lunch came when Adams bowled Farhat. After lunch Pollock, the best of the bowlers, had Yasir Hameed caught behind for 16 and then stand-in skipper Yousuf Youhana fell in similar fashion off Nel for eight.