Big picture
This Test series is, finally, the kind that made Pakistan itch to get international cricket back home from the UAE. Perhaps for the first time, the statement will not be interpreted as it takes place in the country, where the place is more important than the cricket itself. In South Africa, Pakistan has drawn one of the key sides in test cricket, a troubled recent run nonetheless. And with both sides far from perfect, both rebuilt with young captains leading them out, this promises to be a series that is not entirely shaped by the excellence of cricket as human drama.
Pakistan, not for the first time, is both a basketball case and a team capable of great achievements. They are at the beginning of a cycle, with Babar Azam’s time promising a full start after a false start in New Zealand. Mohammad Wasim has a new prime mover, who has introduced a new face, with at least a couple expected to make their debut on Tuesday. Meanwhile, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis need to be careful that this series is not the last chapter in their time by the side, following a non-PCB cricket committee performance review. how smooth it is effectively send them a message.
At the same time, South Africa has plenty of concerns. They’ve been through enough heads off the pitch to put the hosts – usually unparalleled in that region – to shame, with financial worries, political impetus at board level, shooting a Chief for mis- accused conduct, all face heavy fines. At the same time, they had to manage a transition as almost irreplaceable players like AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander have stopped, and concerts have gone south: South Africa lost eight -out of nine test matches before the slide was caught at Christmas time. with a 2-0 home win against Sri Lanka.
That series, and the bullet in the arm he gave to Quinton de Kock ‘s side, position this contest as a much tastier scene than it could have been. With the return of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje looking to have the skills to form a terrifying partnership with the striker, South Africa may be up for some good things with the new member . But with Pakistan having named so many spinners in their squad and having won trials against South Africa – four – there is concern that the pitch could be the biggest strength of the visitors to neutralize. Keshav Maharaj will then play an important role, and Tabraiz Shamsi may also need to be involved.
Form instructions
The last five completed games, the most recent first
Pakistan LLDDL
South Africa WWLLL
In mind
The return of the Babar Azam means the middle order has a fixed view of him, but the Test captain has several players for the first time into his side. There is no doubt about his ancestry as a bat, but Azam finds himself leading the side of Test when his reputation – as a captain and as a thinker of the game – is not entirely established. With a number of newbies bowlers, especially spinners, he will have to decide with his hands not only on the combination of play, but on how to manage options that are unfamiliar to the field. It may not be a baptism by fire, but it has been an easier start.
After a fairy tale begins its international career, Aiden Markram He has struggled to recapture his first ten test matches for the better part of three years. He got four hundred in the first six months of Test cricket; none since March 2018, and the average found in the mid-50s has fallen below 40. India and Sri Lanka tours in 2019 were particularly challenging, with 96 runs in eight innings. He will want to make amends in Pakistan, and if he captures the quality that he displayed so clearly when his career blossomed, there is an added risk in Pakistan to defend against him.
Team news
With Abdullah Shafique dropped from the squad of 20, Imran Butt will make his first try at the top of the order alongside Abid Ali. Faheem Ashraf is looking forward to getting the nod over Mohammad Nawaz across the country, while Nauman Ali prepares for Yasir Shah’s involvement in the spinning attack.
Pakistan (probably): 1 Abid Ali 2 Imran Butt 3 Azhar Ali 4 Babar Azam (capt) 5 Fawad Alam 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 7 Faheem Ashraf 8. Hasan Ali 9 Nouman Ali 10 Yasir Shah 11 Shaheen Afridi
South Africa also needs to engage in questions about their mix, and consider joining with two spinners. That could go out for both Lutho Sipamla and Lungi Ngidi, but with Wiaan Mulder taking the lead at seven, that shouldn’t be a cause for concern too much.
South Africa (possible): 1 Aiden Markram 2 Dean Elgar 3 Rassie van der Dussen 4 Faf du Plessis 5 Quinton de Kock (capt, wk) 6 Temba Bavuma 7 Wiaan Mulder 8 Keshav Maharaj 9 Anrich Nortje 10 Kagiso Rabada 11 Lutho Sipamla / LungiNgidi / Tabraiz Shamsi
Park and conditions
Historically, the surface at the Karachi National Stadium has not taken as many turns as several others in Asia, especially on the first three days. However, this one could be different, as Pakistan’s squad and South Africa’s ideological weakness are against spinning. With five clear days ahead, the weather should not play spoilsport.
Stats and trivia
- The only Test match that South Africa lost in Pakistan came in Lahore in 2003. The same Test took place in Karachi in 2007, when South Africa won by 160 runs
- Rabada is three away from 200 wick Test. If he gets there in Karachi, he will be South Africa’s third fastest to the landmark, following Dale Steyn (39 Tests) and Allan Donald (42)
Quotes
“We know very well our conditions at home, and we are very clear about whether you should bat or bowl first. But you have to wait until tomorrow.”
Captain of Pakistan Babar Azam he does not want to show his hand
“We have the mindset that we are not afraid to go out there and try something different. We see that they go with a mindset. We come to mind if we want to win a series from the At home, we have to make a number of heroic calls. ”
South Africa head coach Marc Boucher is undaunted
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @ Danny61000