Image Source : AP Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq
South Africa have all the time been a tough opposition however Pakistan may have the house benefit this time as they host the guests for the primary time in practically 14 years, stated head coach Misbah-ul-Haq.
Back from New Zealand after a disappointing tour which ended with a 0-2 loss within the two-Test collection, Pakistan will now play two Tests towards South Africa at Karachi (January 26-30) and Rawalpindi (February 4-8), adopted by a three-match T20I collection at Lahore, starting from February 11.
“South Africa has never been an easy side to beat, but them playing after 13 years in Pakistan will be an advantage for us, and we have a great chance to improve our record against them,” Misbah stated.
He stated the 2 Test matches are a part of the ICC World Championship and are essential for the house facet which can attempt to get most factors out of it to enhance their place on the desk.
“Playing at home ground is always encouraging for the players, and it reflected in our performances in the series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh last year,” Misbah stated.
Pakistan gained Tests towards Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in late 2019 and early 2020 at residence however have misplaced successive away Test excursions to Australia, England and New Zealand resulting in a criticism of the crew’s performances and choice insurance policies with Misbah under-fire.
Following their dismal tour of New Zealand, Pakistan’s new chief selector Muhammad Wasim named 9 uncapped gamers in a revamped 20-member squad for the check collection towards South Africa.
“The series against South Africa is an important one, and I am sure the players selected in the squad have the potential and hunger to give best results in the series,” Misbah stated.
The South African cricket crew, which final toured Pakistan in late 2007, arrived in Karachi on Saturday.
The visiting crew’s head coach Mark Boucher cautioned his crew, saying his batsmen will face a troublesome activity towards a “dangerous” facet like Pakistan.
“Pakistan is a dangerous side at home; we will have to come up with a proper strategy to beat them at their own backyard,” the previous wicket-keeper stated.
“The wickets here in Pakistan are batting friendly, and we are relying on our batsmen to score runs. Their confidence will be high after scoring runs against Sri Lanka. Our fast bowlers will have to work very hard to get wickets.”
South Africa had drawn the two-Test collection in 2010 and 2013 when Pakistan had hosted them within the United Arab Emirates, following a terrorists attacked on the Sri Lankan crew bus at Lahore in 2009.
“Pakistan bowlers will have home advantage, so this series will be a test for our batsmen, but once they are successful in occupying the crease, they will be able to score freely,” Boucher stated.
“We are excited to play in Pakistan again, and expect a great series ahead with all focus on the game.”
South Africa had gained the two-Test collection 1-0 throughout their final tour of Pakistan in 2007.
The guests have been boosted by the return of prime quick bowler, Kagiso Rabada from accidents and he picked up 17 wickets within the final collection between the 2 sides at 18.70.
The final Test between the either side was in January 2019 in Johannesburg which the house crew gained by 107 runs.
South Africa squad: Quinton de Kock (C), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, Marco Jansen.
