Thomas takes three wickets on S Africa debut

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 2 (Reuters) Alfonso Thomas today took three wickets on his first appearance for South Africa to help limit Pakistan to 129 for eight in their Twenty/20 international.

The 29-year-old grabbed a wicket with his first delivery, having Imran Nazir caught behind for five, and finished with three for 25 in his four overs.

A shower about an hour before play did not delay the start, but there was a 20-minute interruption when the rain returned midway through Pakistan's innings.

Kamran Akmal (21) and Mohammad Hafeez (25) seemed to be building a big score when they added 47 for the second wicket off 37 balls, but South Africa then picked up wickets at regular intervals.

Wicketkeeper AB de Villiers took three catches to equal the Twenty/20 record held by South African-born England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (17 not out) at least gave Pakistan something to bowl at when he hit Johan van der Wath's last two balls of the innings for six.

Reuters SBA VP0040