SA vs Pakistan 2013

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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

AB should have been out? How was that overturned?

With a lead of around 400 after day 2 SA could have fun and aim for a lead of 1000 by mid afternoon on day 4. Don't suppose they will tho.

Sounds like fun, but I doubt you'll get 1000 runs on this pitch.

After all, we just finished 2nd day. 5-day test matches should last for at least 4 days. For the sake of those two dozen faithful spectators in the stands, SA should bat at least until the end of day 3. Not sure about 1000, I think 750-850 is quite likely.

49 AO

I would say that what happened today was more to do with the deadly combination of a lively surface and by a distance the best bowling attack in the world than poor batting. This might seem strange for a team rolled over for 49, but I actually thought they battled quite hard: tried to get in line, didn't produce any real rash strokes that I can think of, no run outs etc. The only thing I can blame Pakistan for is not having sufficient preparation.

After a double-figure innings it was always going to be hard to perform at their very best in the field, but even then SA batted very skilfully and, aside from the debutant, I thought Pakistan were pretty decent.

Shafiq's shot was awful considering he had only been in for 5 deliveries!

CF wrote:Shafiq's shot was awful considering he had only been in for 5 deliveries!

Maybe.

But on the other hand you could say that he'd only been in for 5 deliveries and got one that moved quite a lot.

Obviously Gul's was awful, but its not his job to score the runs.

no im sorry, but when you have only been in for 5 deliveries, there is no excuse for trying an expansive drive like that, especially considering the situation his side were in!

What a bloody disgrace!

Pakistan's bowling was up to expectations, the batting even outdid the expectations!.
For the last couple of years or so, this SA test side showing qualities similar to the champion sides of yester years, being absolutely ruthless, and being able to step one aspect of the game to get away from a dificult corner. The South African score of 253 was clearly disappointing, considering all the top 7 got starts in particular. But the already dangerous and classy bowling unit stepped up even further, and just destroied the Pakistan batting.
Perhaps the UCB should insist on the DRS for the series at the end of the year, and do a favor to a friend!!!!.

SA declared on 275-3


Pakistan are 15-1 in the chase.

Should the SA board reduce the payments they make to their test players?
They arent event doing 4 of the 5 days work they are paid for, its extremely lazy. Any other line of work these people wouldve been sacked by now.

433 runs needed, nine wickets remaining, and about 245 overs to get it in. Take your time Pakistan!

south africa will win, but i think it will go into day 4

CF wrote:49 AO

4 runs too many

This unbeaten partnership (so far) between Jamshed and Ali is greater than Pakistan's entire first innings score! Only 417 runs to go...

Jamshed gone lol

67-2

It's being reported that the pitch in Cape Town will have a good covering of grass.

Pakistan's batsmen showed they don't dont the skill to play on lively pitches, so Cape Town will be even tougher.

I think Morne Morkel needs to up his game. He's been all over the place in this Test, for someone with so much talent, he's still so inconsistent.

With the very exciting Marchant de Lange returning from injury. And the very hostile Chris Morris waiting to break into the Test squad. If Morne doesn't up his consistency, he could find he's not in the team much longer.

Just to add, there probably isn't a bigger Morne fan that me, so I don't consider this to be a panic statement.

now 155-5

good partnership between Misbah and Shaqfiq broken

Miss Bah is doing a Honey Fem act there.

Some rain forecast for days 4 and 5, maybe that and some dogged batting will see them safely to a draw?

CF wrote:now 155-5

good partnership between Misbah and Shaqfiq broken

?

Shelsey93 wrote:

CF wrote:now 155-5

good partnership between Misbah and Shaqfiq broken

?

Was off a nb that wasn't picked up at first.

Much better but still room for improvement. Come on you bar stewards

183/4, minor hope for Pakistan? Then again, their batting looks pretty light and South Africa will have the new ball available in 5 overs.

If pakistan win this then I will five knuckle shuffle to geoffrey Boycotts batting.

i withdraw that, because I'd probably manage to rip it off before ever managing to ejaculate.

credit to Pakistan batsmen for fighting today, but alas it has come too late in the piece...

The new ballis due tomorrow morning, there is going to be rain tonight in JHB, tomorrow the ball is going to swinig,

Pakistan are going to have a tough time in the first session.

Good luck to them, they are fighting hard.

Pakistan batsmen putting up a decent showing, but this two need to survive the new ball tomorrow if they want to stand any chance.

Nearly over now...

Steyn now with 10/60 for the match...even if he doesn't get this last wicket this has been a fantastic performance

Pakistan put up a bit of resistance in this innings , but there was no way back from that 49 all out.

I think this will be good for Pakistan from a match practice perspective. The batsmen all had a bit of a fight and it will stand them in good stead.

As I type this Steyn gets his 11 wicket of the match.

..and he does get the last wicket !

11/60

Pretty easy choice for man of match...

Well done SA.

Agree Pakistan may be better prepared for the next match. But they have a big task against this SA side.

So Dale Steyn breaks the South African record for most 5 wicket hauls and 10 wicket hauls

If he can get 7 wickets in Cape Town, he'll equal Allan Donald's 330 Test wickets!

Yes, and in 8 less tests.

Biltong wrote:Yes, and in 8 less tests.

It really seems strange, maybe because I grew up with Donald being my hero and Steyn only when I was already working. I know Steyn is really good, but I think I have this romantic idea of Donald. If you compare the stats it clearly shows Steyn has been taking more, faster. I guess it is true that while you are still busy people never really think of you as when you are retired. But then I also don't have any grand memories about Pollock and he also retired, so it must be my youth that made Donald so magical.

Really good effort by the Pakistanis though. I think the saw now that they just have to grind out the first few overs. I think what happened on day two was just freakish, almost every edgable delivery was edged. But that probably offsets the days when you don't get any luck whatsoever.

Well done Steyn. I think the vast difference between Donald and Steyn is that Steyn did it all himself - hes like Waqar or Wasim whereas Donald had the miserly pollock operating from the other end which contributed to a lot of his wickets. Steyn is a true wicket taker although I would add that there are fewer great batsmen in this era than the previous one and most of those play for SA. He is though without a doubt the best bowler in the world and will be for the forseeable future. (Damn you Amir)

Clinical from South Africa, Pakistan did fight other than in that first innings with the bat, but South Africa has been too good.
Dale Steyn is the one really great bowler of this generation. There of course are other quality bowlers, but Steyn is in a different league.

congrats to SA...risky early declaration paid off.

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.

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

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.

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.

Gents, it is raining cats and dogs here in JHB at the moment. Smith had in the back of his mind rain.

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.

FerN wrote:

Biltong wrote:Yes, and in 8 less tests.

It really seems strange, maybe because I grew up with Donald being my hero and Steyn only when I was already working. I know Steyn is really good, but I think I have this romantic idea of Donald. If you compare the stats it clearly shows Steyn has been taking more, faster. I guess it is true that while you are still busy people never really think of you as when you are retired. But then I also don't have any grand memories about Pollock and he also retired, so it must be my youth that made Donald so magical.

Really good effort by the Pakistanis though. I think the saw now that they just have to grind out the first few overs. I think what happened on day two was just freakish, almost every edgable delivery was edged. But that probably offsets the days when you don't get any luck whatsoever.

I pretty much agree with you on that. Donald has a romanticism about him.

His spell against atherton epitomises his legacy. But I have to admit, Steyn is better.

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.

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.

FerN wrote:

Biltong wrote:Yes, and in 8 less tests.

It really seems strange, maybe because I grew up with Donald being my hero and Steyn only when I was already working. I know Steyn is really good, but I think I have this romantic idea of Donald. If you compare the stats it clearly shows Steyn has been taking more, faster. I guess it is true that while you are still busy people never really think of you as when you are retired. But then I also don't have any grand memories about Pollock and he also retired, so it must be my youth that made Donald so magical.

Really good effort by the Pakistanis though. I think the saw now that they just have to grind out the first few overs. I think what happened on day two was just freakish, almost every edgable delivery was edged. But that probably offsets the days when you don't get any luck whatsoever.

I think Donald, he was my favourite bowler for along time, wasn't handled properly.

Donald was over bowled, yes he was the best, but compare him with Steyn. Steyn doesn't really play that much ODI cricket.

Donald was the main man in Tests and ODIs. Had Donald played fewer ODIs, he would've reached 400 Test wickets.

Both Donald and Steyn are the very best of their time, just a shame AD and Steyn never played together! I wouldn't want to face them.