Debutant Ahmed checks South Africa’s progress

Paceman Tanveer Ahmed became the 1oth Pakistani bowler to take five wickets in an innings on his debut to keep check on South Africa’s progress on the second day of the second Test on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Ahmed removed Mark Boucher for 45 to take five wickets in his first Test before South Africa reached 386-7 at lunch with AB de Villiers unbeaten on 163 and Dale Steyn yet to open his account at Zayed Sports City cricket stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Ahmed has been the pick of Pakistani bowlers with 5-94.

De Villiers, who led the South African fightback with Jacques Kallis (105) on the first day after they were reduced to 33-3, once again anchored his team’s innings, having so far hit 16 fours and a six during his 313-ball knock.

Resuming at 311-5, De Villiers and Boucher added 73 runs for the sixth wicket before Ahmed bowled the South African wicket-keeper batsman with a delivery that came in sharply.

Boucher hit six boundaries during his 90-ball innings.

De Villiers continued in the same vein, hitting Ahmed for three boundaries in an over to complete his 150, taking 282 balls to reach the landmark.

Pakistan were unlucky not to have dismissed Botha when wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal failed to hold on to a low catch towards his right off luckless paceman Mohammad Sami.

At the time Botha had yet to open his account, but he did not survive long as he was bowled by left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman for 12.

Both teams are vying to win the two-match series after the first Test in Dubai ended in draw on Tuesday.