The Proteas are aiming for a winning start in their first Test series against Pakistan since 2013, writes KHALID MOHIDIN. 

It’s been four years since the Proteas faced Pakistan in a Test match and five years since Pakistan travelled to South Africa for a Test series. 

The last time Pakistan visited South Africa, they had to endure a 3-0 whitewash. This is expected once again from the hosts who look to take advantage of the visitors’ lack of experience in South Africa. Six out of the 11 Pakistan players who took on New Zealand earlier in December have never toured South Africa, and will face a strong challenge at SuperSport Park in conditions that have traditionally favoured the home side. The Proteas have won 18 games at Centurion, lost two and drawn three.

Both sides come off Test series defeats. The Proteas suffered a 2-0 series defeat in Sri Lanka, while New Zealand beat Pakistan 2-1 in the United Arab Emirates.The contest should see both batting lineups aiming for improved performances from their last series, while both bowling lineups will aim to maintain their lethal quality.

The Proteas need to deal with the gaping gap left by Vernon Philander’s injury. He is replaced by Duanne Olivier, who has come off an exceptional Mzansi Super League campaign that saw him top the wickets standings.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas, who has 61 wickets in 12 Tests, could also be absent after picking up an injury that saw him miss the third Test against New Zealand. This could see 18-year-old Shaheen Afridi play in his second Test on a wicket that should suit him.

Players to Watch 

Spin is always a talking point when the Proteas are playing, whether through dominance by Keshav Maharaj or how the Proteas’ batters handle spin. Depending on the nature of the wicket prepared at SuperSport Park, they could have their hands full with Pakistan right-arm spinner Yasir Shah, who took 29 wickets against New Zealand. More obviously, it may be the Pakistan seamers who could be key to their side’s success, especially Hasan Ali, who took 13 wickets against New Zealand. Azhar Ali, who scored 307 runs against New Zealand, including two half-centuries and a ton, will be key in the Pakistan top order.

For the Proteas, their batsmen will need to up the intensity. They struggled during their last Test series in Sri Lanka and will look to repeat the form they showed during their series win against Australia in March. Theunis de Bruyn will aim to impress after scoring his maiden ton in Sri Lanka, while Hashim Amla will aim to recover his form in the series’ against Pakistan in the white-ball and red-ball formats. Dale Steyn will be in the spotlight as he aims to break Shaun Pollock’s record as the highest wicket-taker in the countries history.

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Stats 

• The Proteas have played Pakistan in 23  Tests. They have won 12 matches, lost four and drawn seven.
• In 12 home Tests against Pakistan, the Proteas have won nine, lost two and drawn one.
• Steyn needs one wicket to surpass Shaun Pollock’s 421 wickets at the top of South Africa’s wicket-taking list.

Probable XIs

Proteas

1. Aiden Markram
2. Dean Elgar
3. Hashim Amla
4. Faf du Plessis
5. Theunis de Bruyn
6. Temba Bavuma
7. Quinton de Kock
8. Dale Steyn
9. Kagiso Rabada
10. Keshav Maharaj
11. Duanne Olivier

Pakistan:
1. Imam-ul-Haq
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Azhar Ali
4. Haris Sohail
5. Asad Shafiq
6. Babar Azam
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Bilal Asif
9. Yasir Shah
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen Afridi

Photo: Getty Images