Akhtar strikes on return to peg back South Africa

LAHORE, Pakistan, Oct 29 (Reuters) Pakistani strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar made a dramatic return to international cricket by grabbing four wickets to restrict South Africa to 233 for nine in the deciding fifth and final one-dayer today.

The controversial paceman, back in the side after a 13-match ban for his first one-dayer since September 2006, bowled with fire to trouble South Africa's batsmen on a slow pitch, taking four for 43.

Paceman Rao Iftikhar supported him well to claim 3-45, his third three-wicket haul in the series which is tied 2-all.

Jacques Kallis top-scored with 86 to anchor the innings after the visitors chose to bat first with opener Herschelle Gibbs hitting 10 fours in his 54.

Akhtar, suspended for striking team mate Mohammad Asif with a bat during training before last month's Twenty20 World Cup, bowled captain Graeme Smith for a first ball a duck in the first over.

He should have also had Kallis caught behind for two runs in the third over but wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropped a sitter.

Kallis went on to record his 64th career fifty before Akhtar had him caught by captain Shoaib Malik in the penultimate over.

Kallis, who has struggled for form in the series, hit four fours and one six facing 130 balls.

He put on 80 from 112 balls for the second wicket with the in-form Gibbs, who was bowled by Iftikhar.

Kallis and Jean-Paul Duminy (44) put on 75 from 108 balls for the fourth wicket before South Africa lost quick wickets while adding 30 runs in the last five overs.

REUTERS PDS RK1728