Ntini and Pollock combine to have Pakistan at 135 for six after Akhtar & Co wreck South Africa
Updated at 11 pm
PORT ELIZABETH: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar made a sensational return to Test cricket as wickets tumbled on the first day of the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Friday.
Shoaib took four for 26 as South Africa were bowled out for 124, their lowest total against Pakistan. But Makhaya Ntini hit back for South Africa, taking four for 18 as Pakistan stumbled to 135 for six at the close. Pakistan were looking in control with Younis Khan playing a solid anchor innings before he fended a catch to gully off Ntini in the penultimate over of the day. Then Kamran Akmal, who shared a 56-run stand with Khan, was out four balls later when he hooked Andre Nel to deep square leg.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq did not bat because of a sore shoulder but will bat on Saturday. Shoaib cut open the South African batting by taking the first two wickets and was a constant threat, bowling at high pace and exploiting a pitch which offered him steep bounce. He was recorded at speeds of up to 150kmh.
Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria took three for 36 and Mohammad Asif two for 34 as South Africa, leading the three-match series 1-0, crumbled. Their previous lowest total against Pakistan was 214 at Faisalabad in 1997/98.
Shoaib sparked the South African collapse when AB de Villiers tried to hook his 16th delivery and edged the ball to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal. Then he had Hashim Amla caught down the leg side off a glove. Since his previous Test appearance against India in January last year, Shoaib, 31, has suffered from ankle and knee injuries and was banned from international cricket for using performance-enhancing drugs.
He was cleared by a Pakistani tribunal last month and joined the team in South Africa as cover for Umar Gul, who is recovering from an ankle injury. Astonishingly, on a pitch which did not appear to have any demons, Pakistan put down four chances, none of which proved costly.
In contrast to the first Test, which South Africa won by seven wickets, Pakistan fielded a potent four-man bowling attack, with Shoaib and Mohammad Sami replacing Shahid Nazir and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. Kaneria came into the attack when Shoaib was rested after taking two for 17.
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