Big picture
At a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has plagued sports around the world, Pakistan, a team that has been forced to play at neutral venues for much of the last decade, is on the verge of a third series after win each other at home. After winning over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, they now have the opportunity to beat a team that is higher than them and will want to have the opportunity to do so after a mediocre performance in the first half. Test.
South Africa’s mistakes – and there were several – Pakistan did just about everything right in Karachi, from the introduction of Nauman Ali, to taking advantage of a swing swing and more importantly, adding depth to their batting line. There is room for improvement at the top with the opening pair advancing just 5 and 22 but their bottom order is made up for it, with contagious displays against a South African team that is and grew worse, and their mourning did not increase.
Prior to this match, South Africa were shocked by the news that they will not be playing the home Tests against Australia which means that this is the end of their test season, in which there were only four games. . The opportunity now to rebuild a number of games against various grievances in changing circumstances is now gone and South Africa has to work with how little they have.
A win at Rawalpindi, where conditions are expected to be more suitable for them, would show how strong the team has so far been in short supply. The case, however, of disaster is only a criterion for where they are as a Test squad. South Africa has already shown signs of dealing with team balance, by bringing in ranchers, and finding the best combination.
In terms of the World Test Championship, it looks like this will be the last series these two teams will play in the regular tournament. The result of this Test will not change the situation with Pakistan in fifth and South Africa in sixth. The center finishes may not be board, although they are in a circle marked by postponements well where these teams would want to be but both are at transition levels and there are signs that it would be worthwhile. keep an eye on them when the next round starts.
Form instructions
(last five completed games, most recent first)
Pakistan WLLDD
South Africa LWWLL
In mind
Before Karachi, Babar Azam he had only gone one test in his last eight where he has not scraped at least half a century and, despite the added responsibility of being captain of Pakistan, he would have being disappointed with his returns of 7 and 30, as well as due to his dismissal. Babar fell to South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj in both innings, first trying to shoot a bullet into a ball that was too full and then defending down the wrong line to another who turned it. The good news for Babar is that the series is moving to a place where his fortunes could turn. He has played two Test innings in Rawalpindi and scored hundreds in both of them.
Ged Quinton de Kock he has already made up his mind for the outdoors he has one more test available this summer before saying goodbye to the long form captain, if that is what he wants. There is no doubt that De Kock wants to improve his revision skills (he mistakenly asked for DRS four times in Karachi) but he will be more concerned about improving his bat. As captain, de Kock has scraped 44 runs in four innings and is still unsettled in his new position at No. 5. South Africa still consider that to be the best place for him for bats, and will want the correct confirmation before the end of the Test summer.
Team news
The only changes Pakistan was overtaking were in the bowling alley, where they could look to bring in extra sailors at the expense of one of their spinners. Since then they have decided against that and it seems they will not change.
Pakistan (possibly): 1 Imran Butt, 2 Abid Ali, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Babar Azam (capt), 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Mohammed Rizwan (wk) 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Hasan Ali, 9 Nouman Ali, 10 Yasir Shah, 11 Shaheen Shah Afridi
Injury will be the final word in South Africa’s XI field. Tabraiz Shamsi has recovered from the back spasm that kept him out of the Karachi Test but worries about recycling could see him miss out, especially since there is also a question mark over Maharaj. South Africa’s top spinner suffered pain in his side two days before the game and scans showed he has sustained small tears or a few bruises. He shook up 15 goals the day before the game but will only be announced on the morning of the match. If Maharaj can’t play, George Linde replaces him, with Shamsi ready to head out to Lungi Ngidi. South Africa are also seriously considering a seam bowling green, which they did not have in Karachi, and if Wiaan Mulder plays, he will leave no room for Linde unless Maharaj is injured. The batting line should not be changed with Dean Elgar ready to play after holding up a brush on his left hand in Karachi.
South Africa (able): 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Faf du Plessis, 5 Quinton de Kock (capt, wk), 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Keshav Maharaj / George Linde, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi / Lungi Ngidi, 11 Anrich Nortje
Park and conditions
Historically, Rawalpindi has been a surface for quicks. With the colder climate ensuring the moisture stays on the surface, fast archers have relied on 498 first-rate wikis, compared to 72 for spinners. However, South African coach Mark Boucher said there was a specific grass shortage and described the pitch as “very dry as puzzle pieces,” and expects spin to play a part. The temperature will drop in the early 20C and Boucher believes the humidity and dew will prevent the teams from getting full days of play.
Stats and trivia
- If Pakistan wins, this is the first time they have beaten South Africa in two consecutive test matches; and this is just their second win against South Africa out of the 11 series of two or more matches between the teams.
- South Africa played only one Test in Rawalpindi, in 2007. It was a high draw.
Quotes
“Experience sometimes goes out physically and gets experience for yourself. We talked about patience, the different mental approach, the fact that the 3,5 running levels are not like in South Africa and when you defend, you have to defend with a lot of intensity. But watching them play, the boys realized that what we were talking about was happening right in front of us. “
South Africa has learned from Pakistan’s battery-powered approach according to a coach Marc Boucher
“Pindi’s wicket is really different to Karachi but this time he’s not one to play four special fast archers.”
Captain of Pakistan Babar Azam all but confirming that Pakistan is likely to enter without change
Firdose Moonda is an ESPNcricinfo journalist in South Africa