South Africa were on the back foot at 19-2 following Irfan's double strike in his incisive first spell of six overs, dismissing Alviro Petersen (three) in his second over and then had Graeme Smith (15) in his fourth.
Hashim Amla was solid on 30 and AB de Villiers was unbeaten on 11 at the break as Irfan (2-27) exploited early life on Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch after South Africa won the toss.
Irfan, the tallest ever player at 7 feet one inch (2.1 metres), generated lively pace, lifting one to Petersen whose fended push was well caught by Shan Masood at short-leg.
Smith, who is playing his first international match since an ankle injury earlier this year, hit Irfan for two well-timed boundaries but the lanky paceman had the last laugh, dismissing the South African skipper caught behind.
Pakistan successfully took a review after Australian umpire Rod Tucker initially turned down a confident appeal.
Kallis, who is also playing his first Test since February this year, looked rusty before he edged a sharp incoming delivery from paceman Junaid Khan for wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal to take a smart low catch.
Pakistan entered the Test with two pacemen and two spinners, giving debut to left-armer Zulfiqar Babar at 34. Opener Shan Masood celebrated his 24th birthday with a Test cap.
South Africa employed three pacemen and Robin Peterson as their lone spinner.
The second and final Test will be played in Dubai from October 23.
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