Yet again, Pakistan is to play another home series in the UAE, this time the opponent is South Africa that is quite strong and must be full of confidence. The reason for the confidence of protease is the last tour of Pakistan to the African safari, which really did not leave a good memory for the Paki fans except Afridi’s humongous sixer. Well, I assume that there is no need to repeat the statistics of Pakistani players of the last Pakistan vs. South Africa series. I hope Pakistan would have worked on their weak areas and have practiced to exploit the deficiencies of the African players. So, the question is what can Pakistan do to choke the chokers in their second home? Let’s have a brief look on can favor Pakistan and what can go against them.
Misbah ul Haq and Graeme Smith shaking hands
As Pakistani team always depends on their never ending strength of bowling, the situation will not be much different on this occasion. To start with the Pacers, Pakistan will be depending heavily on their new fast bowling sensation Mohammad Junaid. Junaid has quite an impressive record against every team and he performed brilliantly in the last tour also. He can swing the ball both ways and runs for every delivery he bowl. The other seamer will be the giant from Gaggu Mandi, Mohammad Irfan. There is no doubt that he is a smart bowler and has all the tools to make the batter trouble, but, I question his fitness. The UAE is going to be so hot, will he be able to handle the heat and make the batsmen sweat? He may suffer some injury like cramps or something.
I would like to see Pakistan playing the third right arm quickie i.e. Ehsan Adil (hope he will be named in the playing squad) this will give the pace attack a much needed balance and variety. Ehsan dries the run of the opposition and do not allow them to play freely. On the other hand, Pakistan has a firm spin attack based on Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman. Zulfiqar Babar is also an extraordinary spinner, but, I do not think he will get a chance in the longer format. The Pakistan bowling attack has to tackle a solid batting line of South Africa, but, I see only Jaques Kallis, AB De Villiers and Hashim Amla as a threat to Pakistan. Graeme Smith has been called back to open the innings, but, I cannot see him hurting Pakistan much. That is due to the playing condition and also the strategy that Pakistan would have made, it is easier to hunt Smith than his other batting companions.
South Africa also has a quite fierce bowling attack, but, they will not be as horrifying for the host’s batsmen as they were on their own soil. Vernom Philander who made the ball talk through impressive seam bowling will not be much effective. The UAE wicket would be dry and batting friendly with lack of bounce and pace. Philander lacks pace, so he can become the weak link in the Proteas’ bowling side. Dale Steyn will undoubtedly trouble Pakistani openers as the he will get the new ball to swing, but, he will also not get the same nip as he got in his backyard earlier this year. Morne Morkel can make the opposition’s batsmen to work hard because he is tall and quick, the bouncer can do the trick for him. The South Africans indeed lack a quality spinner; they just have Robin Petersen which can easily be handled by some of our batsman like Younis Khan, Misbah later in the innings.
The above were some of the weaknesses and the strengths of the both the teams. Pakistan has a much stronger bowling line up as the pacers as well as the spinners are competent to take the match away from any opponent at any time. Whereas, the Protease have remarkable fast bowling attack, but, they lack a quality spinner which is the point of concern for them. Pakistanis’ batting is not strong as usual and they can collapse at any stage. But, South Africans have some of the most technically sound batsmen. My prediction for the test series is that it might be 1-1. Pakistan can win both the T20s and for the ODIs, it can be 3 Pakistan and 2 South Africa. I am rating Pakistan as the favorites.
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