****Official****Pakistan in South Africa

[akilana]

Originally Posted by smalishah84

Junaid and Irfan don't look too bad for SA conditions do they? If Irfan can get the ball in the right areas I think he can create trouble for any batsman in the world.

I think bowling wise we are not that far off from SA.

The batting though............................................ .................................................. .................................................. ..............

[smalishah84]

Originally Posted by akilana

[Xuhaib]

Originally Posted by Jono

You're probably right, but is their bowling quality that much different to 2007 Port Elizabeth when they beat SA? Kaneria was bowling pretty well back then I guess, but I'd still have Ajmal as better, and I'm pretty sure Shoaib broke down in that test and Sami played.

SA are probably stronger with the bat now though, and as you said, you've taken into account the fact SA randomly drop hope tests, and that is what the Port Elizabeth loss was.

Really I thought it was a very competitive series with all games open till midway the final innings if Shoaib was fit (I know) the whole series Pakistan would have won the series however this SA side is definetley much stronger that the 2006 side with Pakistan being weaker.

[Xuhaib]

have a feeling SA is much tougher mentally after the away wins to Eng and especially Aus where they were on the back for a lot of the series they might have just overcome the random home losses.

[AndyZaltzHair]

My prediction 2-0 to SA but certainly Pakistan have the ability to pick up a win. Think this will be a very competitive series. Also none of the teams will be under much pressure, isnt it? Pakistan coming off a series win against India and also no one expecting Pakistan to win the series so it's all to play for and SA proved against England and Australia.

[smalishah84]

yeah, at this point in time it is difficult to see Pak winning given how their bowling pans out.

PEWS thinks Pakistan's bowling will suck in SA conditions. Not sure about that. It could be like the 2010 Pak-Eng series. Where the bowlers from both sides wreak havoc. SA batting to carry the day for their side

[smalishah84]

was checking out Hashim Amla's record.....good to see he hasn't done quite as well against us

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

not sure what he's gonna do this time though

[Bouncer]

Originally Posted by Agent Nationaux

Fri Jan 25 - Mon Jan 28
08:30 GMT | 10:30 local
South Africa A v Pakistanis
Buffalo Park, East London

Do you have any inside information that first test will not go beyond 4th day?

[benchmark00]

Not a test match bro.

[Bouncer]

Originally Posted by smalishah84

Junaid and Irfan don't look too bad for SA conditions do they? If Irfan can get the ball in the right areas I think he can create trouble for any batsman in the world.

I think bowling wise we are not that far off from SA.

The batting though............................................ .................................................. .................................................. ..............

I would not play Irfan in a 5 day game yet - It just takes toooo much on one's body, and Irfan doesnt have the body for it IMO.

I would go and open the bowling with Junaid and Ahsan (lets see what the new guy is made out of, there is a lot of hype about this guy - a lot. Even I liked little bit that I saw in him in U19 WC).

Bowling line up with Junaid/Ahsan/Gul/Ajmal/Rehman and Hafeez just sounds super nice.

Battingwise, I would go outside the box and open with Taufeeq and Nasir, play hafeez at asad's spot

• We get to give nasir a chance when he is in form and have him open the inning.
• Nasir is far more likely to be comfortable against pace and new ball than hafeez.
• Protect hafeez from new ball and bouncy SA conditions and have him come to bat with an older ball in operation.

That's what I would do but unfortunately I know how much of 'thinking' misbah puts behind his decisions so the top order that he is more likely to play is going to be

Hafeez
Taufeeq
Azhar
Younis
Misbah
Asad

[Bouncer]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Not a test match bro.

Its 3:45 AM where I am.

Thanks for correction bro

[Daemon]

Originally Posted by Bouncer

I would not play Irfan in a 5 day game yet - It just takes toooo much on one's body, and Irfan doesnt have the body for it IMO.

I would go and open the bowling with Junaid and Ahsan (lets see what the new guy is made out of, there is a lot of hype about this guy - a lot. Even I liked little bit that I saw in him in U19 WC).

Bowling line up with Junaid/Ahsan/Gul/Ajmal/Rehman and Hafeez just sounds super nice.

Battingwise, I would go outside the box and open with Taufeeq and Nasir, play hafeez at asad's spot

• We get to give nasir a chance when he is in form and have him open the inning.
• Nasir is far more likely to be comfortable against pace and new ball than hafeez.
• Protect hafeez from new ball and bouncy SA conditions and have him come to bat with an older ball in operation.

Wouldn't go in with 5 bowlers, especially when your keeper is not exactly the best batsmen going around and you have a decent option in Hafeez. Makes the lineup way too fragile. Rehman will have to sit this one out unfortunately.

[smalishah84]

Originally Posted by Daemon

Wouldn't go in with 5 bowlers, especially when your keeper is not exactly the best batsmen going around and you have a decent option in Hafeez. Makes the lineup way too fragile. Rehman will have to sit this one out unfortunately.

yeah....going with both Rehman and Ajmal will be very risky.

Sarfaraz is a bit of clown with the bat.

They have to try Irfan out. Test matches don't take as much toll on the body as do LO games

[Agent Nationaux]

Jameshed
Taufeeq
Azhar
Younis
Misbah
Hafeez
Sarfraz
Gul
Adil/Irfan
Ajmal
Junaid

[smalishah84]

I would go with

Nasir
Toffee
Azhar
Younis
Misbah
Hafeez
Sarfaraz
Bull/Adil
Irfan
Ajmal
Junaid