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Pakistan’s Tanvir makes flying start to test cricket

Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed made a flying start to international cricket by reducing South Africa to 114 for three at lunch on the first day of the second test in Abu Dhabi today.

Tanvir, at 31 the oldest quick bowler to make his debut for Pakistan, took three for 28 in seven overs as South Africa crashed to 33 for three after being sent in to bat.

Jacques Kallis, who raced to 57 not out off just 65 balls, and AB de Villiers (33 not out) had steadied South Africa’s innings with an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 81 at the break.

Kallis was surprisingly aggressive, hitting nine fours and two sixes, as Pakistan’s bowlers began to look more and more off-colour the longer the session went on.

Alviro Petersen (2) played a loose drive in the second over, edging Tanvir’s third delivery in test cricket to Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq at first slip.

Tanvir was more fortunate with his second wicket, Hashim Amla harshly given out caught behind by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal for four when a delivery jagged back into his thigh.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith had struggled to 10 before a flat-footed poke at a Tanvir delivery that nipped away from the bat gave Akmal his second catch.

Television replays suggested De Villiers was fortunate to be given not out on seven when it seemed he had edged Mohammad Sami to Akmal.