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In his recent analysis, @Markhor dissects Pakistan’s strategic pivot to spin-heavy tactics ahead of their Test series against South Africa, questioning its sustainability and impact on player development. He critiques the PCB’s neglect of red-ball cricket, highlights Pakistan’s batting vulnerabilities, and warns that South Africa’s balanced attack could expose the flaws in Pakistan’s spin-to-win formula.
Thanks to Markhor for another sharp, data-rich preview that blends tactical insight with editorial bite.
Red ball cricket: an afterthought
Ten months have elapsed since Pakistan’s last Test series against West Indies is another reminder of how far Test cricket has fallen in the PCB’s order of priorities. The format, outside the Big Three nations, is financially unviable for most international boards who prefer to prioritise their domestic T20 leagues or white-ball fixtures ahead of the T20 World Cup next spring. Pakistan’s centrally contracted players barely participate in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy which itself is subject to constant tinkering and neglect by PCB. Whatever the purists argue, the audience for Test cricket has dwindled in Pakistan with empty stands forming a typical backdrop to most, though not all, home Tests. Despite the arrival of the World Test Champions South Africa, the series is unlikely to generate anywhere near the interest as the recent T20 Asia Cup.
Pakistan’s identity crisis
Part of Pakistan’s problem has been a mediocre Test team that’s struggled for identity. After a brief flirtation with seamer friendly pitches last year which backfired against Bangladesh, and equally dismal results on batting paradises that included conceding a colossal 823-7d to England in Multan, the PCB realised desperate times called for desperate measures. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are now the unlikely middle-aged posterboys of a new Test philosophy where spin is king. Industrial fans, greenhouses, rakes and even the recycling of a pitch to maximise assistance for spin has totally shifted the character of Tests in Pakistan.
The percentage of balls bowled by pacers has dropped from 51% to 15% since that disastrous First Test vs England last year. That may sit uncomfortably with some Pakistan fans raised on the exploits of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.
However, the reality is Pakistan haven’t produced a Test seamer to take 200 wickets since Waqar Younis, and their pacers have been often outbowled by their counterparts such as Nahid Rana of Bangladesh last year. Since the pivot to spin, Pakistan have won three of their last four home Tests in with Noman and Sajid being the chief beneficiaries – both seeing their bowling averages plummet.
Even by Asian standards, Pakistan’s spinners now carry a far heavier workload therefore it was unsurprising to see the selectors name additional backups in Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram and Asif Afridi.
These bunsens have prompted some to question whether they are beneficial for the long-term development of Pakistani cricket, reducing seamers to bystanders and limiting the ability of batsmen to hone their skills against pace while spinners can inflate their records with little need for guile or inventivene.
It is fair to say while spin offers Pakistan the best chance of winning home series – the excessively doctored minefields served up against West Indies meant both Tests were determined not by skill and mentality but luck of the toss and prayers.
That series saw the lowest batting average in a Test series in the entire decade with not a single batsman scoring a hundred on either side, and both Tests ending inside three days. The strategy backfired in the 2nd Test as Jomel Warrican rolled Pakistan over contributing to a series levelling victory for the visitors.
With experienced FC spinners in Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj (arriving for the 2nd Test), South Africa possess a more potent spin attack equally capable of bundling Pakistan out. Therefore, the curators in Lahore and Rawalpindi must find a balance between playing to Pakistan’s strengths while avoiding “lottery pitches” that opponents can exploit.
Pakistan’s ailing batsmen
In a move akin to a bald man refusing to accept reality and still scrambling to find even one hair follicle on his scalp, Shan Masood was retained as captain for the new World Test Championship cycle. At the age of 35, do the PCB seriously believe a transformation in Shan’s batting is just around the corner – or is Shan a specialist captain for all intents and purposes ?
Abdullah Shafique averages 18.93 in his last 16 innings and is fast fading after a promising start to his international career. Babar Azam has not scored a Test hundred since December 2022 and can be vulnerable to spin. Nevertheless, competitive totals will largely depend on him along with Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha.
Summary
South Africa’s batting may lack the consistency and experience of yesterday but arrive with one of the strongest bowling attacks in the world. Kagiso Rabada will undoubtedly target Pakistan’s short-ball weakness and prove lethal if there is any uneven bounce. Marco Jansen offers a left-arm angle and a high release point. South Africa finally ended their decade long wait for a Test series victory in Asia in their tour of Bangladesh last year, and start as favourites against a Pakistan side in perpetual transition with another new coach in Azhar Mahmood who may not be displeased with a 1-1 draw in his first series in charge.
Thanks to Markhor for another sharp, data-rich preview that blends tactical insight with editorial bite.
Red ball cricket: an afterthought
Ten months have elapsed since Pakistan’s last Test series against West Indies is another reminder of how far Test cricket has fallen in the PCB’s order of priorities. The format, outside the Big Three nations, is financially unviable for most international boards who prefer to prioritise their domestic T20 leagues or white-ball fixtures ahead of the T20 World Cup next spring. Pakistan’s centrally contracted players barely participate in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy which itself is subject to constant tinkering and neglect by PCB. Whatever the purists argue, the audience for Test cricket has dwindled in Pakistan with empty stands forming a typical backdrop to most, though not all, home Tests. Despite the arrival of the World Test Champions South Africa, the series is unlikely to generate anywhere near the interest as the recent T20 Asia Cup.
Pakistan’s identity crisis
Part of Pakistan’s problem has been a mediocre Test team that’s struggled for identity. After a brief flirtation with seamer friendly pitches last year which backfired against Bangladesh, and equally dismal results on batting paradises that included conceding a colossal 823-7d to England in Multan, the PCB realised desperate times called for desperate measures. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are now the unlikely middle-aged posterboys of a new Test philosophy where spin is king. Industrial fans, greenhouses, rakes and even the recycling of a pitch to maximise assistance for spin has totally shifted the character of Tests in Pakistan.
| Pace Bowling Avg | Spin Bowling Avg | |
| 1955-2024 | 31.56 | 35.64 |
| Post Pivot to Spin | 23.23 | 19.90 |
The percentage of balls bowled by pacers has dropped from 51% to 15% since that disastrous First Test vs England last year. That may sit uncomfortably with some Pakistan fans raised on the exploits of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.
However, the reality is Pakistan haven’t produced a Test seamer to take 200 wickets since Waqar Younis, and their pacers have been often outbowled by their counterparts such as Nahid Rana of Bangladesh last year. Since the pivot to spin, Pakistan have won three of their last four home Tests in with Noman and Sajid being the chief beneficiaries – both seeing their bowling averages plummet.
| Pre-Pivot to Spin | Post-Pivot to Spin | |
| Noman Ali | 33.53 | 13.30 |
| Sajid Khan | 38.16 | 19.29 |
Even by Asian standards, Pakistan’s spinners now carry a far heavier workload therefore it was unsurprising to see the selectors name additional backups in Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram and Asif Afridi.
| Host Nation | Overs bowled by Spin (%) |
| India (since 1st August 2019) | 67 |
| Sri Lanka (since 1st August 2019) | 71 |
| Bangladesh (since 1st August 2019) | 66 |
| Pakistan (1st August 2019-October 2024) | 50 |
| Pakistan (Post-Pivot to Spin) | 84 |
These bunsens have prompted some to question whether they are beneficial for the long-term development of Pakistani cricket, reducing seamers to bystanders and limiting the ability of batsmen to hone their skills against pace while spinners can inflate their records with little need for guile or inventivene.
It is fair to say while spin offers Pakistan the best chance of winning home series – the excessively doctored minefields served up against West Indies meant both Tests were determined not by skill and mentality but luck of the toss and prayers.
That series saw the lowest batting average in a Test series in the entire decade with not a single batsman scoring a hundred on either side, and both Tests ending inside three days. The strategy backfired in the 2nd Test as Jomel Warrican rolled Pakistan over contributing to a series levelling victory for the visitors.
| Lowest Batting Averages in a Series (2020s) | Batting Average |
| Pakistan vs West Indies 2025 | 15.43 |
| West Indies vs Australia 2025 | 17.68 |
| West Indies vs South Africa 2021 | 18.08 |
| South Africa vs India 2023/24 | 18.67 |
With experienced FC spinners in Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj (arriving for the 2nd Test), South Africa possess a more potent spin attack equally capable of bundling Pakistan out. Therefore, the curators in Lahore and Rawalpindi must find a balance between playing to Pakistan’s strengths while avoiding “lottery pitches” that opponents can exploit.
Pakistan’s ailing batsmen
In a move akin to a bald man refusing to accept reality and still scrambling to find even one hair follicle on his scalp, Shan Masood was retained as captain for the new World Test Championship cycle. At the age of 35, do the PCB seriously believe a transformation in Shan’s batting is just around the corner – or is Shan a specialist captain for all intents and purposes ?
Abdullah Shafique averages 18.93 in his last 16 innings and is fast fading after a promising start to his international career. Babar Azam has not scored a Test hundred since December 2022 and can be vulnerable to spin. Nevertheless, competitive totals will largely depend on him along with Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha.
Summary
South Africa’s batting may lack the consistency and experience of yesterday but arrive with one of the strongest bowling attacks in the world. Kagiso Rabada will undoubtedly target Pakistan’s short-ball weakness and prove lethal if there is any uneven bounce. Marco Jansen offers a left-arm angle and a high release point. South Africa finally ended their decade long wait for a Test series victory in Asia in their tour of Bangladesh last year, and start as favourites against a Pakistan side in perpetual transition with another new coach in Azhar Mahmood who may not be displeased with a 1-1 draw in his first series in charge.
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