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.

By Shayan Siddiqui (21st January 2013)

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.

It could be argued that a visit to the Rainbow Nation is now the ultimate challenge for most cricketing sides and this is what faces a well-balanced Pakistani side as they land in South Africa for three Tests, two T20Is and five ODIs. Misbah-ul-Haq’s men produced some outstanding Test cricket 2012 but those were in familiar conditions, the Wanderers, Centurion and SuperSport Park being different propositions altogether. The issue of alien conditions is not a new one for Pakistan who have played nine matches away in South Africa since 1995 and have won just two, losing six and drawing one.

South Africa were unbeaten in 2012, winning seven Tests and drawing five and after utterly annihilating a troubled Kiwi side, they will be in confident mood as they prepare for Pakistan. Pakistan meanwhile have not played Test cricket for over six months after a series defeat away to Sri Lanka. The incredible series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi seems a long time ago now, but Pakistan will take some comfort from their drawn series against the Proteas in 2010 and will hope to draw on their experience of handling Dale Steyn in that series, albeit on benign pitches the likes of which they will not find in Africa.

In a country where Pakistani batsmen have traditionally struggled, averaging just over 22 as a team in the nine Tests played and on this visit carrying just one genuine batsman of world-class pedigree in Younis Khan. The opposition have a formidable line-up; Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB De Villiers and a run-hungry Faf Du Plessis are likely to occupy positions two to six. However, Pakistan do have the bowlers to trouble that line-up so will need Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali and Misbah to provide the bowlers with competitive totals to defend. Whether or not Nasir Jamshed makes the side following his exploits in India remains to be seen, but he could also be a vital component if any of the batsmen fail to fire. If not, Taufeeq Umar will hope to extend his excellent record in and against South Africa.

The real mouth-watering prospect however, is the battle of the bowling attacks. We all know what Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander are capable of in home conditions, but after a couple of years, Pakistani fans have something to cheer in the fast bowling department. The recent performances of Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan against India has almost certainly catapulted both of them into the starting XI for the first Test and alongside the experience of Umar Gul and the genius of Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan should trouble the opposition. With fairly thin bench strength, Pakistan will be wary of injuries which could severely hamper their plans. It will be interesting to see how Ajmal fares in these conditions especially since both Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan had limited success here, but it’s hard to see how Pakistan can succeed without a significant contribution from the off-spinner. 

Pressure has once again been building on Pakistan’s captain, but Misbah does need to produce some big knocks to silence his critics. This is a pivotal series for him, although every one he has played since being appointed captain appears to have been, but if South Africa replicate their dominance over New Zealand against Pakistan, this may well be one of Misbah’s last assignments, certainly in the shorter form of the game. However, his dogged runs down the order have been important for Pakistan in Tests, and he may well be called upon to yet again perform vital rescue acts with the tail.

Despite all the confidence and potential Pakistan have, a series win still appears an unlikely result. The tour game which commences in five days must be treated seriously in order to ensure the players hit the ground running in Johannesburg on February 1st. Avoiding defeat in the opening Test would be a significant achievement, as otherwise there’s a risk the South Africans might run away with the series - teams rarely come from behind to win against the home side in a three-Test series. 

Victory over England in early 2012 was one of Pakistan’s finest achievements. A series win in South Africa would far surpass that.