Kallis hits century in South Africa recovery

ABU DHABI, Nov 20 (AFP) - Jacques Kallis hit a pugnacious century to help South Africa recover from early jolts on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi Stadium on Saturday.

The 34-year-old right-hander scored an unbeaten 105 for his 37th Test century to lift South Africa from a precarious 33-3 to 212-3 by tea, adding 179 for the unfinished fourth wicket stand with AB de Villiers, who was 80 not out.

Kallis and de Villiers led the fightback after debutant paceman Tanveer Ahmed struck three crucial blows in the morning session, removing Alviro Petersen (two) off the third ball of his Test career and then claiming Hashim Amla (four) and Graeme Smith (10).

In-form Kallis, who hit 73 and 135 not out in the drawn first Test in Dubai, took three off paceman Umar Gul before he ran for a single off spinner Abdul Rehman in the next over to complete his hundred off 135 deliveries -- his fifth this year.

Kallis has so far hit three sixes and 12 boundaries. De Villiers gave Kallis good company, hitting eight boundaries and a six during his 146-ball knock.

Together they created a new record for the fourth wicket partnership against Pakistan, erasing the previous best of 119, involving Kallis and Amla at Centurion in 2007.

It was Ahmed who exploited the early morning moisture on the newly laid pitch at the Abu Dhabi Stadium, which became Test cricket's 103rd venue last week.

Ahmed removed Petersen with his third ball, before Amla was adjudged caught behind off his eighth, and Smith caught behind in his sixth over.

But Kallis and de Villiers defied the bowling on a pitch that eased out under bright sunshine. Pakistan made three changes to their first Test line-up, dropping Umar Akmal, Saeed Ajmal and injured Wahab Riaz. Ahmed and Asad Shafiq -- making their debuts -- plus Mohammad Sami took their places.