NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Misbah-ul Haq struck a fighting 71 not out to rally Pakistan to 210 for eight at the close on the opening day of the first test against India on Thursday.

Indian skipper Anil Kumble grabbed three wickets on his captaincy debut as the host bowlers dominated the first two sessions, reducing Pakistan to 142 for eight at tea.

However, Misbah, playing only his eighth test, hit his maiden test fifty and raised 68 runs for the unfinished ninth wicket with Mohammad Sami (20 not out) in the final session before play was stopped due to fading light 4.2 overs early.

The 33-year-old dug in for four hours in a patient effort at the start of the three-test series.

He offered a tough chance on 69 but his concentration was otherwise sharp, contrasting with many of his team mates on a pitch of low bounce which afforded early seam movement.

Indian paceman Zaheer Khan took two for 36 and Kumble three for 38 while Saurav Ganguly took the vital scalp of Mohammad Yousuf for 27 after lunch as five wickets tumbled in the afternoon.

(Editing by Sonia Oxley)