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This series of tests, finally, is the one that prompted Pakistan to bring international cricket back from the UAE. For perhaps the first time, the narrative will not be defined by the fact that it takes place in the country, where the venue matters more than cricket itself. In South Africa, Pakistan drew one of the first teams in the cricket test, despite a recent troubled race. And with both sides far from perfect, both on the rebuild with young captains leading them, it promises to be a series not quite shaped by the excellence of cricket as a gripping human drama.
Pakistan, not for the first time, is both a basket case and a team capable of great exploits. They are at the start of a cycle, the Babar Azam era promising to begin fully after a false start in New Zealand. There’s a new chief picker at Mohammad Wasim, who has brought a slew of new faces, with at least one couple set to debut on Tuesday. At the same time, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis should be careful that this series is not the last chapter of their stint with the team, after an evaluation of the performance of the less than flattering PCB cricket committee who actually warn them.
South Africa, meanwhile, has enough worries. They’ve made enough headlines off the pitch to shame their hosts – normally unmatched in this department -, with financial worries, political feuds at the board level, the firing of a CEO for alleged misconduct, all requiring heavy tolls. At the same time, they had to manage a transition as almost irreplaceable players like AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander resigned, and the performances went south: South Africa lost eight test matches on nine before stopping the slide at Christmas. with a 2-0 home win over Sri Lanka.
This streak, and the blow it gave Quinton de Kock on the arm, makes this contest a much more enticing prospect than it could have been. With the return of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje appearing to have the skills to form an intimidating partnership with the leader, South Africa could be set for good things with the new ball. But given that Pakistan have named as many spinners to their squad as they have won tests against South Africa – four – there is a risk that the field will neutralize the visitors’ greater force. Keshav Maharaj will then have an important role to play, and Tabraiz Shamsi may also need to get involved.
Form Guide
Last five games completed, most recent first
Pakistan WORK
South Africa WWLLL
In the spotlight
The return of Babar Azam | means the middle order has an established aspect, but the first-time test captain has a number of players to fit into his squad. There’s no doubt about his pedigree as a drummer, but Azam finds himself leading a test team when his reputation – as a captain and as a thinker of the game – isn’t quite established. With several of the newbie bowlers, especially the spinners, he’ll have a decision on his hands not just when it comes to the combination of play, but how he handles options that are somewhat unknown on the court. It might not be quite a baptism by fire, but there were easier beginnings.
After a fairytale start to his international career, Aiden Markram struggled to regain form in his first ten test matches for the better part of three years. He scored four hundred in his first six months of test cricket; there haven’t been since March 2018, and an average that hovered in the mid-1950s has fallen below 40. Tours to India and Sri Lanka in 2019 were particularly difficult, with 96 races in eight sleeves. He’ll want to make amends in Pakistan, and if he returns to the quality he so clearly showed when his career blossomed, Pakistan has an additional threat to guard against.
Team news
With Abdullah Shafique removed from the 20 squad, Imran Butt will make his Test debut at the top of the order alongside Abid Ali. Faheem Ashraf appears ready to wave at Mohammad Nawaz, while Nauman Ali prepares to associate Yasir Shah in the spinning attack.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Abid Ali 2 Imran Butt 3 Azhar Ali 4 Babar Azam (capt) 5 Fawad Alam 6 Mohammad Rizwan (sem) 7 Faheem Ashraf 8. Hasan Ali 9 Nouman Ali 10 Yasir Shah 11 Shaheen Afridi
South Africa must also grapple with questions around their suit and consider entering with two spinners. It could oust Lutho Sipamla and Lungi Ngidi, but with Wiaan Mulder balancing at seven, it shouldn’t be too bad.
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
Steps and conditions
The surface of the Karachi National Stadium historically does not take as much turn as many others in Asia, especially the first three days. However, this one could be different, given the Pakistani squad and South Africa’s perceived weakness against the spin. With five days of good weather, the weather should not be a spoiler.
Statistics and anecdotes
- The only Test match South Africa has ever lost in Pakistan was in Lahore in 2003. The only Test in Karachi was in 2007, when South Africa won by 160 points.
- Rabada is three of 200 test counters. If he makes it to Karachi, he will become the third fastest South African to reach the benchmark, after Dale Steyn (39 tests) and Allan Donald (42)
Quotes
“We know our conditions very well at home, and we know very well whether to hit first or bowling first. But we have to wait until tomorrow.”
Pakistan Captain Babar Azam | does not want to show his hand
“We have the mentality that we’re not afraid to go out there and try something different. We can see that they go with a spin mindset. We come in with a spin mindset. mind that if we are to win a series away from home, we have to make some courageous calls. ”
South Africa Head Coach Mark Boucher is fearless
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @ Danny61000
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