Unmistakably, change is in the air. Pakistan and South Africa meet at theNational Stadium in Karachi tomorrow for the first Test, one eye on the now, one on the future
The Preview by Osman Samiuddin in Karachi30-Sep-2007
South Africa will wait on Morne Morkel’s availability on the morning of the match where he is scheduled to take a fitness Test © Getty Images
Unmistakably, change is in the air. Pakistan and South Africa meet at theNational Stadium in Karachi tomorrow for the first Test, one eye on the now, one onthe future.South Africa, without any hang-ups, are looking ahead in the one traditionthat has served them so richly since their re-admission into cricket, thatof pace. Shaun Pollock, even if he does play, may no longer be one of thefirst names on the team sheet, more so if it is being written in thesubcontinent.Mickey Arthur, South Africa’s coach, has been at pains to point out thatthey are entering “a new era” as far as fast bowling is concerned, though insisting that Pollock has not been shunted out for good. Yet, even if Morne Morkel’sfitness is in doubt – though his condition has improved, he is due toundergo a fitness test in the morning – so too is Pollock’s inclusion.Understandably, for the choice is not easy: opt for Pollock’s battingsecurity or risk the inexperience of Dale Steyn.Pakistan contemplate more seismic changes. Captain, vice-captain and coach will all perform roles they have never performed before tomorrow, at Test level. Not thatShoaib Malik, Pakistan’s 25th Test captain, was letting slip signs of nerves.”I’m not nervous,” Malik said. “It is my first Test as captain but I have played manyTests. I don’t think about challenges as such. I just want to do what isgood for Pakistan.”Indeed, his deputy’s role and performances, may be of equal significance.Salman Butt hasn’t played a Test in over a year, his promotion to the postwas widely questioned, and though it isn’t relevant here, he struggled atthe ICC World Twenty20. If he is successful, Pakistan will be laughing forthey then have a captain-in-waiting, as well as an opener.Further down there is more intrigue. Mohammad Yousuf never really wentaway, but he is back. Graeme Smith, the South African captain had accounted for the eventuality: “We expected him to play. When you come on a tour you expect to play against the best. We have respect for him.”Malik was understandably pleased with the same eventuality and so heshould be, for when Pakistan bat, they will be doing so withoutInzamam-ul-Haq for only the ninth time in 55 home Tests since 1992.”Cricketers come and go, but Inzamam is a great player and we will have todo with what is available,” he said. At least the karma is good, for Inzamam’s place is taken by another ul-Haq who made an unexpected impact at a World Cup: Misbah.But if change is in the air, so too is spin, and on this the contest might hinge. The pitch appears dry, accompanied by whispers of crumble, cracks and rare talk in the Pakistan camp of two spinners. Abdur Rehman, the left-arm spinner, might make his debut, making it the first match since the 2005 Bangalore win that two specialist spinners have played. Rehman will also be thefirst such specialist to represent Pakistan since Nadeem Khan against India in 1999.Yet given its rarity – Karachi does often produce egalitarian surfaceswith something for everyone – both captains spoke of it as a . Smith said, “The wicket is well-prepared and looks dry, the kind of wicket we expect when you come to subcontinent.”Not often is he out-blunted, but Malik hid no punches when asked aboutthe turn in the track. “They have six fast bowlers and one spinner. Shouldwe play to their strengths?”Danish Kaneria, two short of 200 Test wickets, 26 in five against SouthAfrica and 26 in five in Karachi is sure to headline one of the days, asSmith acknowledged: “He is a big challenge on the subcontinent.” But keen mindswill remember that Pakistan has a funny way of succumbing to the categoryknown as left-arm orthodox in which light, Paul Harris might be headlining more often thananyone thinks.”He’s [Harris] going to play an important role,” said Smith. “He’s quite aconfident guy, up for taking responsibility which is always encouraging.He is tall, gets good bounce and is consistent.”That is nearly that. To the ingredients of new eras, new names and spin,must be added the weather, hopefully combining to produce a corker. Smith said that temperatures in the high thirties would play a role at some stage.”It’s very hot and there isn’t much of a breeze in the middle, butwe have to manage that as best we can.”Pakistan (probable): 1 Salman Butt, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Younis Khan, 4Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Shoaib Malik (capt), 6 Misbah-ul-Haq, 7 Kamran Akmal(wk), 8 Abdur Rehman, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Danish Kaneria, 11 Mohammad AsifSouth Africa (probable): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3Jacques Kallis, 4 Hashim Amla, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 AB de Villiers, 7 MarkBoucher, 8 Andre Nel, 9 Makhaya Ntini, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Paul Harris