Asif keeps Pakistan in contention

Mohammad Asif marked his international comeback with three wickets as Pakistan made South Africa work for their runs on day two of the Centurion Test.

Seam bowler Asif, who tested positive for a banned steroid but had a 12-month ban lifted on appeal, took 4 wickets as the home side reached 144-4.

Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 57 runs earlier in the day to be bowled out for 313.

Makhaya Ntini was the pick of the home attack with figures of 5-83.

Having resumed on 242-5, Pakistan soon lost skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq for 42 when he clipped a ball from Ntini to square leg.

Andre Nel then had Kamran Akmal caught by Shaun Pollock at mid-on for 29 after inducing a mis-judged pull and Shahid Nazir (15) top-edged Ntini to Herschelle Gibbs.

Naved-ul-Hasan hit four boundaries and a six, the latter awarded after Hashim Amla failed to stay on the right side of the rope as he took a superb diving catch in the deep.

But after Danish Kaneria was caught at second slip off Ntini, Hasan was last to go for 30 when he gave a return catch to Nel.

South Africa's hopes of a positive start in reply were quickly dashed, however, as Asif found the edge to send skipper Graeme Smith on his way for a duck and then struck again in his next over as AB de Villiers was caught by Younis Khan for four to leave them on 8-2.

The same combination accounted for Jacques Kallis, who went for 18, but Amla and Ashwell Prince halted the slide and added 77 from 25 overs before the tea interval.

Asif returns to Pakistan colours

Controversial paceman Mohammad Asif has been included in a 17-man squad to play three Test matches on their tour of South Africa starting in January.

Asif was banned for a year on 1 November after testing positive for banned nandrolone but won an appeal a month later and was free to play.

Shoaib Akhtar, banned for two years before also winning an appeal, has been left out of the squad as he is unfit.

And there is no room for Shabbir Ahmed, who is available after a one-year ban.

Shabbir's suspension was not drugs related. A fast bowler with a good Test record, he has had an illegal bowling action corrected.

But Mohammad Sami and Shahid Nazir, with more modest Test averages and strike rates, retain their squad spots.

Asif has taken 30 wickets in his last five Tests but has not faced South Africa before.

The squad, led by Inzamam-ul-Haq, has nine batsmen, two wicket-keepers, five fast bowlers and one spinner.

Pakistan play three Tests from 11 January. Five one-day internationals follow and an adjusted squad for that series will be announced in due course.

Pakistan's Test squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Zulqarnain Haider, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria, Shahid Nazir, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami.