SA vs Pakistan 2013

First topic message reminder :

The Pakistan tour of south Africa begins in all earnest tomorrow morning in Johannesburg, The Bull ring has had some famous mathc ups in the past, and I for one am very excited about this test series.

South Africa's test series vs Pakistan is a bit of a venture into the unknown as the last time they played in the UAE the tracks were flat enough to plant corn.

Some stats about these two nations:

Paksitan has recorded two wins out of 9 attemps in South Africa with only one match ending in a draw. I expect all three tests to produce results as both teams have rather strong bowling line ups. Although the SA batting line up has been solid over the past few years there are still some issues that needs to be sorted out. JP Peterson has recovered from his injury to the webbing of his hand. AB de Villiers in conjuntion with Gary Kirsten must make a decision regarding whether he will concentrate on his batting or keep wicket as well.

The young Quinton de Kock in my view is still a tad to inexperienced, so either Tsolikile comes in as care taker for a year or two, until de Kock is ready. The other alternative is AB sticks to his guns if CSA feels it is too little too late to consider Tsolekile as a temporary solution.

Although AB has not been great with the bat, he hasn't disappointed either.

Pakistan have a few injuries themselves and the latest to withdraw is Tafeeq Umar with Imran Farhat his replacement. Pakistan has been the model of unpredictability over the past few years, but might just have turned the conrner into more consistent performances over 2012. They seem to be a team that can run very hot when their confidence is up, and it seems that is the exact mental space they find themselves in presently.

Fortunately for the Proteas, CSA has forgone any tests in Durban this year as their very disappointing record of 4 losses in their last five test series ahs cost them a good number of series wins.

The major factor in this test series will be the strong bowling attacks of both teams.

Expect Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal to lead the bowling attack for Pakistan and Dale Steyn, Philander and Morkel to lead the South African attack.

Ajmal in 2012 took an incredible 39 wickets at an average of 20.56 in 6 tests during 2012. His series against england was perhaps the catalyst that ground the english confidence to a halt with 24 wickets in three tests. The most important question here is after not playing a test since June last year, will he hit his straps from the start?

When you look at Gul's career stats he doesn't seem very daunting, but when you consider his performance against england last year, and admittedly he hasn't played a test since Middle last year, but if he repeats those performances Pakistan might well put SA under enough pressure to get a win.

when you look at Dale Steyn's record since 2011 you might be thinking he is losing his edge. Yet still firmly ensconced at the top of the bowling rankings and have taken 52 wicket at 25.17 per wicket. If that is what steyn does when he is off form, then I'll put him in my team anyday.

Philander started his career with a bang, his first seven test got 50 wickets, then in england last year he started coming back to earth with some avergae performances, it was to be expected, yu just don't expect any bowler to continue taking a fifer every match. His figures are still very impressive, but there is a chink in his armour. Fitness, he has not yet convinced me he can stand up to the rigours of international cricket in long spells. Little niggling injuries seem to come along once every series.

when you start talking about Morne Morkel I am hoping he has a blinder this series, slowly improving his bowling, with more accurate placing in length and line, he has now managed to get his career average under 30. Centurion and Wanderers should help his bouncers.

Squads.

Pakistan.
Misbah-ul-Haq (c)
Abdur Rehman
Asad Shafiq
Azhar Ali
Ehsan Adil
Faisal Iqbal
Haris Sohail
Junaid Khan
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Irfan
Nasir Jamshed
Rahat Ali
Saeed Ajmal
Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
Tanvir Ahmed
Umar Gul
Younis Khan
Imran Farhat


South Africa
Graeme Smith (c)
Hashim Amla
AB de Villiers (wk)
Faf du Plessis
Dean Elgar
Imran Tahir
Jacques Kallis
Rory Kleinveldt
Morne Morkel
Alviro Petersen
Robin Peterson
Vernon Philander
Jacques Rudolph
Dale Steyn


Fixtures

February 2013
1 South Africa v Pakistan Test Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 10:30
14 South Africa v Pakistan Test Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town 10:30
22 South Africa v Pakistan Test SuperSport Park, Centurion 10:30

March 2013
1 South Africa v Pakistan T20I Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban 18:00
3 South Africa v Pakistan T20I SuperSport Park, Centurion 14:30
10 South Africa v Pakistan ODI Chevrolet Park, Bloemfontein 10:00
15 South Africa v Pakistan ODI SuperSport Park, Centurion 14:30
17 South Africa v Pakistan ODI Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 10:00
21 South Africa v Pakistan ODI Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban 10:00
24 South Africa v Pakistan ODI Sahara Willowmoore Park, Benoni 10:00

Galted wrote:

VTR wrote:It was neither risky or insane. A team rolled for 49 in its first innings is never going to then achieve the highest ever run chase against the best bowling attack in the world. I'd say it was the perfect declaration to be honest.

Not sure I agree with you if that's the sum total of your reasoning. The difference between innings required (431) has been achieved 7 times in tests - http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283985.html .

Not saying it was likely but clearly not impossible.

Well not the sum of my reasoning but I looked at the target when the declaration was made and thought "they'll never get these" rather than "this would be a world record". Just based on knowledge of the two teams really, I didn't even know weather was a factor in it.

VTR wrote:

Galted wrote:

VTR wrote:It was neither risky or insane. A team rolled for 49 in its first innings is never going to then achieve the highest ever run chase against the best bowling attack in the world. I'd say it was the perfect declaration to be honest.

Not sure I agree with you if that's the sum total of your reasoning. The difference between innings required (431) has been achieved 7 times in tests - http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283985.html .

Not saying it was likely but clearly not impossible.

Well not the sum of my reasoning but I looked at the target when the declaration was made and thought "they'll never get these" rather than "this would be a world record". Just based on knowledge of the two teams really, I didn't even know weather was a factor in it.

Was a huge WTF moment for me. But, to be overly honest, I could quite easily watch Amla & AB bat a match to a draw they're that entertaining when they're on song. Was cruel to be given a mere 9 overs on Saturday.

Galted wrote:

FerN wrote:

Galted wrote:

CF wrote:congrats to SA...risky early declaration paid off.

"Risky" is quite a polite way of putting it, I thought "insane" is nearer the mark.

Why? Pakistan would have to create a world record. He was being pretty safe. Plus the way it is pouring down now, the last day might have been washed out. We will only see tomorrow though

Makes more sense your opponents needing a world record 680 to win than 480. Didn't think it was too clever giving Pakistan the best of the batting conditions with SA not having a penetrative spin option.

In an attempt to prove you completely & utterly wrong I just looked up the forecast for Joburg tomorrow & it's for....erm....rain. Kind of wished I'd checked that first now.

In your defence it normally only rains later in the day. So there was probably still time.

still have a while until the next test match

damn them saffers for constantly winning inside 3 days!!

CF wrote:still have a while until the next test match

damn them saffers for constantly winning inside 3 days!!

The voice of a true cricket addict!

Only two more sleeps then it is back to business.

Biltong wrote:Only two more sleeps then it is back to business.

Only four more sleeps and it's business over if recent history with SA is anything to go by.

Well it is Newlands, but then we may be on the recieving end this time.

Biltong wrote:Well it is Newlands, but then we may be on the recieving end this time.

Hardly likely my friend.

You should have nothing to worry about.
Pakistan would have been getting drunk on all that fresh air and scenery in the last few days... mark my words.

Looks like we will bowl first. Goes against what the cricinfo people suggested to do.

Well they showed that the team batting second wins 56% of the time, soo I don't think it is a bad thing.

Only question is though that the surface is apparantly dryer than normal, and was given a bit of water on Tuesday.

We'll have to see.

Morning lads.

Can you post some score updates?
Damn domestic stuff on here but we switch over to the Test in an hour or so.

Jamshed back in the shed already I see on espncricinfo. 10/1

17/1 off 9.4 overs.

Jamshed had a life, but he failed to cash in. Philander with the wicket, he loves this ground doesn't he?

21/2 off 11.1 overs, Steyn gets Hafeez

Steyn's back on, and strikes with his first ball of the new spell. Hafeez gone. Pak 21-2.

msp83 wrote:Jamshed had a life, but he failed to cash in. Philander with the wicket, he loves this ground doesn't he?

Quite an opening bowling partnership, isn't it?

Steyn gets in on the act now...21-2.

Yeah, that's why I reckon SA were correct to have a crack at the Pakistan batsmen.

(Biltong / FerN... tragic news about Pistorious' girlfriend. Hard to imagine the grief. I hope the law can help him)

Linebreaker wrote:Yeah, that's why I reckon SA were correct to have a crack at the Pakistan batsmen.

(Biltong / FerN... tragic news about Pistorious' girlfriend. Hard to imagine the grief. I hope the law can help him)

Tragic news for the girl's family too....

shivfan wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:Yeah, that's why I reckon SA were correct to have a crack at the Pakistan batsmen.

(Biltong / FerN... tragic news about Pistorious' girlfriend. Hard to imagine the grief. I hope the law can help him)

Tragic news for the girl's family too....

I can't understand how it happened though.

Yes, you'd think they would have worked out some kind of signal or even a quick text message or something. Tragic for the poor girl and her family.

Ruthless Proteas fast bowlers once again exposing the limited batting ability that Pakistan's batsmen have. Pakistan, unless playing on flat pancakes, are pathetic.

This is men vs boys

Pakistan has moved on to 47-4. Shafiq on 5, Younis on 17. Morkel with the last couple of wickets, getting Azhar Ali and Misbah Ul Hak in the ame over. The Azhar wone was checked for a no-ball, and Morkel wasn't too far from a criminal repeat. But he has really been firing them in.
But now Shafiq and Younis trying to open up just a little bit. 50 up for Pakistan.

Gerry SA wrote:Ruthless Proteas fast bowlers once again exposing the limited batting ability that Pakistan's batsmen have. Pakistan, unless playing on flat pancakes, are pathetic.

This is men vs boys

Come on Gerry, hold back just a tad. When we go to them the contest swings in their favour.

Difficult to face the best bowlers in the world on their home turf if majority of the team hasnt been there before. Damn you asif and amir! Come on younis, need a double ton at least from you.

Linebreaker wrote:Yeah, that's why I reckon SA were correct to have a crack at the Pakistan batsmen.

(Biltong / FerN... tragic news about Pistorious' girlfriend. Hard to imagine the grief. I hope the law can help him)

Yes tragic. She probably wanted to surprise him on Valentine's. We will probably only get the full story much later.

Biltong wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Ruthless Proteas fast bowlers once again exposing the limited batting ability that Pakistan's batsmen have. Pakistan, unless playing on flat pancakes, are pathetic.

This is men vs boys

Come on Gerry, hold back just a tad. When we go to them the contest swings in their favour.

FYI Biltong, Proteas have played 7 Tests in Pakistan plus 2 in UAE.

Of the 7 matches in Pakistan, Proteas record is 2 wins 1 defeat and 6 draws.

Both matches in UAE where draws as well.

So even in home conditions, Pakistan are only capable of drawing.

Gerry SA wrote:

Biltong wrote:

Gerry SA wrote:Ruthless Proteas fast bowlers once again exposing the limited batting ability that Pakistan's batsmen have. Pakistan, unless playing on flat pancakes, are pathetic.

This is men vs boys

Come on Gerry, hold back just a tad. When we go to them the contest swings in their favour.

FYI Biltong, Proteas have played 7 Tests in Pakistan plus 2 in UAE.

Of the 7 matches in Pakistan, Proteas record is 2 wins 1 defeat and 6 draws.

Both matches in UAE where draws as well.

So even in home conditions, Pakistan are only capable of drawing.

Yes, we are a better team, but it is a bit disrepsectful to call them pathetic.

Gerry SA wrote:Ruthless Proteas fast bowlers once again exposing the limited batting ability that Pakistan's batsmen have. Pakistan, unless playing on flat pancakes, are pathetic.

This is men vs boys

175/4 now.

190-4, Younis and Shafiq really taking the fight back to the South Africans. First time in the home season, South Africa are being challenged at last.
But all this can come apart rather quickly, there is not much batting left after these 2, and that 2nd new ball is getting ever so closer. But well done to the 2 Pakistan batsmen, really put their hands up against a quality bowling lineup.

Robin Petersen going at close to 4 an over, Smith would expect him to provide better control if not too many wickets.

South Africa struggling again when they don't have the new ball.

It is the nature of this pitch and the conditions. The commentators said before the start of the day, wickets will fall in the first session but there after it will be easier to bat.

nonetheless a great partnership here.

Here we go, new ball time. Pakistan need to see this out and they could be on their way to 400+.

Gerry should be feeling a bit silly, not the first time he'd made a comment a bit too early in the piece.

Having said that Pakistan aren't out of the woods yet, a couple of wickets with the new ball before the end of play and they could easily fold for less than 300.

Peterson has bowled OK to be honest - it's tough to bowl (very) orthodox spin on a day 1 pitch offering nothing, against set batsmen who play spin pretty and very well respectively. Maybe he could have tried going over the wicket, but he hasn't done badly at all.

DRS works! Are you watching, India?

Perfect example of DRS working. Couldn't see the edge live or even on the replay, but clear mark on hotspot.

India watching?

Snap.

Both batsmen have crossed their hundreds, and Pakistan are 238-4. Steyn's with the new ball, and there is an LBW shout and Younis is given out, he reviews, there is an edge and he survives

Mike Selig wrote:Snap.

Great minds and all that.

Philander has already bowled an unplayable one with the 2nd new ball, the batsman wasn't even able to get an edge, but Younis and Shafiq have to really stay focused, if they see this through, then South Africa, who had won the toss, will be very much under pressure.

Surely a reprieved Pakistan batsman would add to India's case to not use DRS

5 overs of the 2nd new ball dealt with, South Africa clearly has reasons to be disappointed. 248-4.

Pakistan's day if they don't lose a wicket in the next 4 overs.

250 up now, 252-4, partnership 219. Pakistan in charge at the moment.

Perhaps Morne should bowl one of the 2 remaining overs.

Review time, Younis against Philander, South Afirca's review.

DRS works again, and tips the balance.

Yes its out, but an interesting call, the review was for LBW, but Younis had got an inside edge, and it was taken by AB behind the stumps. So he goes caught behind, hude huge wicket for South Africa, and the DRS makes the right call yet again!.