South Africa and Pakistan have not locked horns in the ATG arena since Season One, when reciprocal three Test series both ended in 1-1 draws. Both sides have slipped down the rankings of late after enjoying spells nearer the top of the tree, and consequently it will be everything to play for over the course of the five Tests. Following Trevor Goddard's departure from the captaincy in Australia, the South African selectors have made the bold move of appointing Hansie Cronje as skipper for this series, and all eyes will be on him as he not only tries to establish himself in the side as a batsman, but also as he attempts to convince his critics that he is worthy of holding such an elevated position.
His opposite number, Imran Khan, leads a Pakistan side that will be without Hanif Mohammad for the first time in ATG history, Hanif's run of 48 consecutive Tests ended by a poor recent record that has seen him record just one century in his last 39 innings. With fellow opener Saeed Anwar also jettisoned, Mohsin Khan and Mudassar Nazar will form a new opening partnership for Pakistan, and the hopes are high for a very tight series between two very evenly matched sides.
Pakistan squadImran Khan (c), Javed Miandad (v/c), Abdul Qadir, Asif Iqbal, Fazal Mahmood, Intikhab Alam, Majid Khan, Mohsin Khan, Moin Khan, Mudassar Nazar, Saleem Malik, Sarfraz Nawaz, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Wasim Bari, Zaheer Abbas.
0 comments:
Post a Comment