Pakistan ended day 3 in Johannesburgh on 183/4 - still needing another 297 as they look to chase down a massive 481 to win the first test match. Asad Shafiq and Misbah ul Haq steadied the ship with a century stand late in the day.

The 253 runs in South Africa's 1st innings were made to appear as 553 by Pakistani batsmen - their woeful technique and poor shot selection was clearly exposed in the space of 29.1 overs.

After Pakistan ended day one of the first Test against South Africa in such a strong position, we analyse what the batsmen must now do to take the game by the scruff of the neck, and whether or not they will be able to counter the threat of Steyn, Morkel and Philander.

An enthralling day's Test cricket. Pakistan proved they weren't just here to make up the numbers against the world's number 1 team, and finished the day on top having dismissed the South Africans for what should be a below par score.

As the date for the Pakistan Super League player auctions approaches, Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have confirmed they will not be issuing No Objection Certificates (NOC) to contracted players. The news will be a blow to the Pakistan Cricket Board, who have high hopes of using the tournament as a springboard to bring international cricket back to Pakistan.

Former Pakistan captain and opening batsman Aamir Sohail in his latest blog for PakPassion.net looks ahead to the challenges of the tour of South Africa for Misbah ul Haq and his team in unfamiliar conditions. Sohail also sheds light on what, he believes, should be the Pakistani tactics in South Africa, as well as outlining the roles of key bowlers such as Mohammad Irfan and Saeed Ajmal.

Former Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middlesex, Titans and Border Coach Richard Pybus in an exclusive article for PakPassion.net believes that the outcome of the upcoming Test series between South Africa and Pakistan is likely to be decided by how the Pakistani batsmen cope with the South African pace attack.Pybus also believes that the Pakistani bowlers will present the South African batting line-up with their most serious challenge for quite some time. He offers the Pakistani batsmen some advice on tackling the conditions at the Wanderers Stadium and asks whether one of the youngsters can announce themselves with a special performance or two.

The latest edition of The Weekly Comment focuses on Umar Gul, who despite being the mainstay of the Pakistani pace attack for almost a decade does not receive the plaudits enjoyed by his contemporaries.

Zahid analyses the upcoming Test series between South Africa and Pakistan, looking at what the Pakistani batsmen need to do to succeed in South African conditions. He also discusses the comparable bowling attacks and talks about what he wants the Pakistani bowlers to do in South Africa.

Not long ago, playing the great Australians in Australia was seen as the toughest challenge for touring sides, particularly those from within the subcontinent. However with the Aussies at the rebuilding stage, South Africa have taken the mantle as the leading side in world cricket, exhibiting consistency in the Test arena to surge to the top of the rankings.