Shoaib returns in triumph as South Africa slump

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, Jan 19 (Reuters) Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar made a triumphant return to help skittle South Africa for 124 in the second test today.

However, Pakistan stumbled to 17 for two at tea on day one.

Fast bowler Shoaib, who played his last test against India in Karachi in February, took four for 36. Shoaib was banned from cricket for two years in November after testing positive for banned substances but was later acquitted.

He first struck in the fifth over when AB de Villiers played a ragged shot to a wide delivery and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for two.

Four overs later Hashim Amla, who scored five, attempted to leave a legside delivery from Shoaib and gloved a catch to Akmal.

Graeme Smith stood firm for 44 balls for his innings of 28, which ended when he edged leg spinner Danish Kaneria onto Akmal's gloves only for Younis Khan to take the catch at slip.

Ashwell Prince then played a wild cut to a delivery from fast bowler Mohammad Sami and was dropped by Akmal.

But four balls later Prince, who scored two, repeated the stroke and this time Akmal took the catch.

Herschelle Gibbs, playing pending his appeal against a two-test ban, was dropped by Younis and Akmal but with his next ball Kaneria trapped the South African in front for two.

Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher took South Africa to lunch on 64 for five, but they were soon 83 for six when Kallis edged a ball from Shoaib to Akmal for 24. South Africa's tail fell away and they were all out in 40 overs.

Pakistan though lost their first wicket without a run on the board when Imran Farhat edged the eighth ball of the innings by fast bowler Makhaya Ntini to De Villiers at third slip.

Tea was taken immediately after Mohammad Hafeez, who had earlier been dropped, tried to pull another Ntini delivery and sent a gentle catch to Amla at short leg.

Reuters SAM RN1945