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South Africa vs Pakistan | 1st Test | Centurion | Dec 26-30 | Pre-Match Discussion

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heddie19 said:
Saud is defo playing. He is the VC and arguably our best test batte atm. KG shouldn't be rested after his ton just to replace. Abdullah is in slump and I don't see him score double digit runs here. It is in the best interest if Shan moves himself as an opener which will accomodate Babar and KG both in the top/middle order.
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Yes. Both Saud and Kamran should play. Kamran has had a good time in South africa in ODI so he wshould not miss the tests.
 
Saud shakeel is a poor batsman who will be exposed once again like he was exposed in australia.
He can't play pace bowling at all.
 
Human786 said:
Possible Pakistan XI: Ayub, Masood, Ghulam, Babar, Shakeel, Salman, Rizwan, Noman, Naseem, Shahazad, Abbas [ wonder if he is any good at 35 ]
Possible SA XI: De Zorzi, Markram, Bavuma, Stubbs, Bedingham, Verreyenne, Jansen, Muthusamy, Rabada, Paterson, Maphaka
40% chance of RAIN on 1st 4 days so Draw a contender .
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Jamal for Noman. Agha can bowl spin.
 
neonoir said:
Surely you get Shaheen as a last minute call up he's bowled brilliantly in the Aus series and in the ongoing SA Tour.

The pitches in SA are suited for his type of bowling
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No. If the plan was for him to focus on white ball Cricket and regain his fitness and work on his action then there's no point calling him again.

Whatever Aqib and Shaheen are cooking right now. I trust them to make the collective best decision for Shaheen.
 
followed said:
Saud shakeel is a poor batsman who will be exposed once again like he was exposed in australia.
He can't play pace bowling at all.
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He isn't a poor batter. He's very good. Australia is difficult for many batters. Babar avg 25 their. Yes babar is a poor test batsmen but he isnt that bad. Most of his struggles come against spin and not pace.

Even indian batters like jaiswal and Pant are struggling their. Root struggles in aus lol

Bilo bounce pitches are very very difficult to play on for everyone except aussie players who have played in such conditons their whole life.

Australia isn't a good metric to judge him on in test cricket. He's still Pakistan's best test batsmen atm.
 
The pace attack is the slowest ever with Hamza Abbas and Khurram 😖

Still we need to play 4 pacers and no spinner. I'd go with Naseem khurram hamza and Jamal.

Abdullah out, Shan opens, KG plays at 5.
 
DTrump said:
Coetzee, Burger, Nortje and Ngidi are unavailable.
Mulder and Maharaj have fitness concern.

This is a golden opportunity for Pakistan.
South Africa do bat deep but they really are short on quality bowling.

Rabada and Jansen are terrific.
Kweena, Paterson, Bosch. Very little depth here.

Ayub, Masood, Saud, Babar, Ghulam, Rizwan, Agha, Jamal, Shah, Hamza, Khurram.

Expect South Africa to go with 4 seamers too. Tony, Markram, Rickelton, Bavuma, Stubbs, Bedingham, Verreynne, Bosch, Jansen, Rabada, Paterson. Jansen at 9 is ridiculous batting depth.

Highveld has a lot of bounce. If Pakistan can cope with that, it's game on.
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South Africa have announced their playing XI. Not to boast but yours truly did get it right.

Going with 4 pacers. And a lot of batting depth. What they lack in quality, they make it up the other way.

Pakistan should follow suit. Before this season, South Africa management said there would be no more minefields. The Sri Lanka series had good batting wickets and i don't think this will be any different.
 
Marooned said:
The pace attack is the slowest ever with Hamza Abbas and Khurram 😖

Still we need to play 4 pacers and no spinner. I'd go with Naseem khurram hamza and Jamal.

Abdullah out, Shan opens, KG plays at 5.
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Khurram is faster then Shaheen and Naseem in test cricket who both are cooked by the time the third session starts
 
Xoib said:
Khurram is faster then Shaheen and Naseem in test cricket who both are cooked by the time the third session starts
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No he isn't. I'm not sure which matches you've been seeing.

Khurram was barely cracking 130 in Australia. He hovered round 127-132 territory. Naseem even in his current state is a good 3 kms faster though that's not enough.

It's good Shaheen is rested for his own good but he is still comfortably the best option Pakistan has for these wickets.
 
jamie smith said:
the last india toured sa jaiswal could muster only 50 runs in 4 innings.lets see how much can saim accumulate
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Nonsense. Those pitches were extra spicy pitch. Siraj took 6fer and bowled SA out for 55 runs. Look what Siraj is doing in Australia.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Nonsense. Those pitches were extra spicy pitch. Siraj took 6fer and bowled SA out for 55 runs. Look what Siraj is doing in Australia.
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that was in the 2nd test,in the 1st test sa scored almost 400 why didnt he score in that match then
 
Marooned said:
No he isn't. I'm not sure which matches you've been seeing.

Khurram was barely cracking 130 in Australia. He hovered round 127-132 territory. Naseem even in his current state is a good 3 kms faster though that's not enough.

It's good Shaheen is rested for his own good but he is still comfortably the best option Pakistan has for these wickets.
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He was comfortably quicker then both Shaheen and Naseem in the Bangladesh test when all three played together go back and watch the highlights

Also Rested Shaheen is flying for BPL during the test series which shows his priorities
 
khurram has lots of experience,he can run through the lineup on his day
Marooned said:
No he isn't. I'm not sure which matches you've been seeing.

Khurram was barely cracking 130 in Australia. He hovered round 127-132 territory. Naseem even in his current state is a good 3 kms faster though that's not enough.

It's good Shaheen is rested for his own good but he is still comfortably the best option Pakistan has for these wickets.
Click to expand...
 
marco jansen of all men scored 84 odd in the 1st match,so how was the ptch for 1st test also a minefield
jnaveen1980 said:
Nonsense. Those pitches were extra spicy pitch. Siraj took 6fer and bowled SA out for 55 runs. Look what Siraj is doing in Australia.
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give as many excuses as u want,elgar also scored195 on that pitch and aiden scored a ton in neext test
 
jamie smith said:
give as many excuses as u want,elgar also scored195 on that pitch and aiden scored a ton in neext test
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Jaiswal made 28 in 25 balls in the 2nd test. So? It takes a while to get adjusted to spongy bounce of supersports park on such wickets. Those guys play their cricket all their life. This guy is touring for the first time. Only 22.
 
mominsaigol said:
He isn't a poor batter. He's very good. Australia is difficult for many batters. Babar avg 25 their. Yes babar is a poor test batsmen but he isnt that bad. Most of his struggles come against spin and not pace.

Even indian batters like jaiswal and Pant are struggling their. Root struggles in aus lol

Bilo bounce pitches are very very difficult to play on for everyone except aussie players who have played in such conditons their whole life.

Australia isn't a good metric to judge him on in test cricket. He's still Pakistan's best test batsmen atm.
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He is very poor against pace. I mean look at his technique.

His feet don't even move an inch. He can't play bounce at all.

He is a poor batsman in general. He is gonna fail outside Asia without a doubt but Pakistan has no choice but to play him.

If he does well it's good news for Pakistan team.
 
Xoib said:
He was comfortably quicker then both Shaheen and Naseem in the Bangladesh test when all three played together go back and watch the highlights

Also Rested Shaheen is flying for BPL during the test series which shows his priorities
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He will play in sa in a day's time. You will have your answer then.
 
Probably gonna be a rain affected draw. But if Pakistan can show some spine, it might make the final test interesting
 
Xoib said:
Also SA who has sights for WTC final slot deliberately did not provide their usual quick pacy tracks for the white ball games to catch the batsman unawares of what’s in store for them with the red ball
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You are mistaken. SA pitches usually are batting friendly in Limited overs format. At least thats the case since last 10 years. Nothing changed for Pakistan
 
saud is not poor against pace but he is kind of a lazy player
followed said:
He is very poor against pace. I mean look at his technique.

His feet don't even move an inch. He can't play bounce at all.

He is a poor batsman in general. He is gonna fail outside Asia without a doubt but Pakistan has no choice but to play him.

If he does well it's good news for Pakistan team.
Click to expand...
 
shamaan said:
Do you know how Abdullah Shafique has done in the last series or 2.
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Did he score a 100 in his last series?

Pretty sure he’s had a better start to his test career than Babar.

Let’s not forget Babar scored his first test hundred after 33 innings. How many innings has shafique played? How many hundreds?
 
Human786 said:
Possible Pakistan XI: Ayub, Masood, Ghulam, Babar, Shakeel, Salman, Rizwan, Noman, Naseem, Shahazad, Abbas [ wonder if he is any good at 35 ]
Possible SA XI: De Zorzi, Markram, Bavuma, Stubbs, Bedingham, Verreyenne, Jansen, Muthusamy, Rabada, Paterson, Maphaka
40% chance of RAIN on 1st 4 days so Draw a contender .
Click to expand...
SA confirm XI for the Boxing Day Test: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch !
4 pacers means heavily seam friendly pitch ... PAK should consider playing all 4 pace attack - 270 overs max the way weather forecast is looking atm !
 
Marooned said:
No he isn't. I'm not sure which matches you've been seeing.

Khurram was barely cracking 130 in Australia. He hovered round 127-132 territory. Naseem even in his current state is a good 3 kms faster though that's not enough.

It's good Shaheen is rested for his own good but he is still comfortably the best option Pakistan has for these wickets.
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Afridi cleared by PCB to play BPL & being rested for TESTS is a friggin joke imo !
 
YousafTheBeast said:
Did he score a 100 in his last series?

Pretty sure he’s had a better start to his test career than Babar.

Let’s not forget Babar scored his first test hundred after 33 innings. How many innings has shafique played? How many hundreds?
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I was all for Abdullah to play but he has had multiple Innings under 10 that is tail ender scores.He had 1 100 in last 15 Innings.
 
khyberlion said:
The simple reason is these guys don't want Babar and are happy to see abdullah play on the back of 3 ducks in a row. Abdullah has been a failure in tests for a while too. He struggles against Australia, Bangladesh and then England bat 1 innings. Babar has also struggled and more so than Abdullah in tests but he's far better batsmen and is not coming off 3 ducks in a row.
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Exactly 1 century in over 9 Innings is not good enough.
 
Said Shakeel in a pre match presser before the Test series against South Africa shared following thoughts:

Q. What major adaptations will Pakistan batters look forward to making here in South Africa for Test matches?

A. I think it's slightly more challenging for the batters here. There are different bouncing conditions here in South Africa as compared to sub-continental pitches. So one of the major difference is the bounce here. But we shall try to put on a good show in the match.


Q: Do your side feel confident before locking horns with South Africa in the upcoming Test series?

A. The confidence level and the morale of all the guys is quite high. Just two months back we defeated England at home, then defeated Australia in Australia in ODIs and now coming here after beating South Africa 3-0 in the ODI series is a major boost for us. So, we shall head into this Test series quite confident and will try to win it too.


Q. Is bounce the only major difference between pitches here and in Pakistan?

A.I think bounce is a major difference for us coming from the sub-continent. Seeing all the videos from the last couple of years of teams playing here in South Africa, I have noticed one thing that seam movement also comes into play (in pitches) here. Remember last year in a Test match here, 21 wickets fell on the first day. So in the end it is all about adapting according to the conditions, scoring runs and put pressure on the bowlers through it.


Q: Have you adapted already to the conditions?

A. We have been here now for the last 10 to 12 days. We had some really good sessions at the Wanderers stadium. It did take us a couple of days to get used to the bounce and the seam movement. So, everything has been settling down for us now and the added advantage is that members of our ODI squad who are also in the Test group have been here for the last 15 days. So we will try to put a good show in the matches ahead.


Q: Temba Bavuma came here and announced his team, will Pakistan do the same soon?

We have a very tight schedule and just two days practice left. So I think we will need more time to finalize the team (Playing XI) and here Shan Masood could give you the better input.


Q: South Africa are not going with any spinner in the 1st Test, does it give you any hint (regarding pitch)?

They (South Africa) may would have announced the playing XI but I couldn't follow it as I was busy in the practice session. Maharaj is their main spinner, they would have gone with him had he been fit. I am not sure why they dropped him. May be he was unfit or unavailable. But so far what we have observed is that this pitch has a lot of moisture but still two days left in the beginning of the 1st Test so we would observe (the pitch) and decide accordingly.


Q: How do you compare the conditions here with the conditions in Australia?

When I first went to Australia, I didn't get much time to prepare myself for the (Test) matches there. But still I got to learn a lot from my mistakes that I made there. Here I got ample time to prepare myself and adapt to the conditions. And coming after doing great in the last series, with a positive frame of mind and with a lot confidence and morale. I believe these things help you to prepare well mentally (for the challenge). Here I shall try to play the game as per team requirement and situation. And most importantly, as I always say that for me the victory of Pakistan is of supreme importance that is why I always remain focused towards this goal and try to contribute also for the team with the bat, bearing this goal in mind.


Q: Will the change of coaching staff affect your team performance?

Yes, the things are not settling so much for us in this domain. So sometimes when new people come, it takes time from them to set new directions. But (the good thing is that) we all have worked with the Aaqib bhai before in some way, like for me I worked with him at the Under 19 level. Shahid Aslam has come as a new member too but we have a bond and rapport with him since childhood so it won't be much difficult for us to adapt with their style.
 
South Africa and Pakistan are set to compete in a two-match Test series, beginning on December 26 at Centurion. The second Test is scheduled for January 3, with the outcomes expected to play a significant role in determining the finalists of the 2023-25 World Test Championship.

Corbin Bosch, son of former Test cricketer Tertius Bosch, has earned his maiden call-up to the playing XI. The squad includes nine batting options and just three specialist seamers. The 30-year-old, who made his ODI debut against Pakistan earlier this week, has an impressive first-class record, scoring 1,295 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.46. His highest score is 69, and he has reached double figures with ten half-centuries.

As a right-arm medium pacer, Bosch has claimed 72 wickets in 58 innings, with his best bowling figures being 5-69, his sole five-wicket haul. Recently, he represented the South African Invitational XI against the England Lions, taking 1-21 in five overs. Despite competition from fellow uncapped seamer Kwena Maphaka, Bosch secured his spot in the Test squad.

South Africa faced significant injury setbacks ahead of the series, with four pacers ruled out of contention: Gerald Coetzee (groin), Nandre Burger (lower back stress fracture), Lizaad Williams (knee), and Lungi Ngidi (hip), all sidelined until early next year.

The Proteas opted not to include a spinner in their line-up. Keshav Maharaj is unavailable due to a groin injury, paving the way for Bosch to join pacers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Dane Paterson in the squad.

South Africa’s XI for first Test against Pakistan

Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch
 
Looking at the way Maharaj bowl against Sri Lanka, I would wait till the last available minute to name the line up.

If there is some turn & drift in the pitch then maybe playing Nauman isn’t a bad call.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
South Africa and Pakistan are set to compete in a two-match Test series, beginning on December 26 at Centurion. The second Test is scheduled for January 3, with the outcomes expected to play a significant role in determining the finalists of the 2023-25 World Test Championship.

Corbin Bosch, son of former Test cricketer Tertius Bosch, has earned his maiden call-up to the playing XI. The squad includes nine batting options and just three specialist seamers. The 30-year-old, who made his ODI debut against Pakistan earlier this week, has an impressive first-class record, scoring 1,295 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.46. His highest score is 69, and he has reached double figures with ten half-centuries.

As a right-arm medium pacer, Bosch has claimed 72 wickets in 58 innings, with his best bowling figures being 5-69, his sole five-wicket haul. Recently, he represented the South African Invitational XI against the England Lions, taking 1-21 in five overs. Despite competition from fellow uncapped seamer Kwena Maphaka, Bosch secured his spot in the Test squad.

South Africa faced significant injury setbacks ahead of the series, with four pacers ruled out of contention: Gerald Coetzee (groin), Nandre Burger (lower back stress fracture), Lizaad Williams (knee), and Lungi Ngidi (hip), all sidelined until early next year.

The Proteas opted not to include a spinner in their line-up. Keshav Maharaj is unavailable due to a groin injury, paving the way for Bosch to join pacers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Dane Paterson in the squad.

South Africa’s XI for first Test against Pakistan

Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch
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Bosch at 9. That's some batting line-up.
 
shamaan said:
I was all for Abdullah to play but he has had multiple Innings under 10 that is tail ender scores.He had 1 100 in last 15 Innings.
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I’m not even a fan of Abdullah and how he got into the national team with very few FC games, but after 42 innings he averages 38. Babar Azam who is hailed as the King by some, averaged 36 after 42 innings.
 
Boxing Day Tests in the Southern Hemisphere are always a special occasion - but Pakistan have only won one and that was 2003 vs NZ.
 
As per reports, ABD is getting dropped due to is horrible ongoing form. Saim and Shan will open with KG and BA to follow in the top order.
 
Saim
Shan
Ghulam
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Salman
Abbas
Naseem
Khurram
Hamza

Good line up for the first test. As long as pak posts in the 300-350 range, game on. Abbas will be hard play on these surfaces and khurram will come good too
 
alishahid said:
Saim
Shan
Ghulam
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Salman
Abbas
Naseem
Khurram
Hamza

Good line up for the first test. As long as pak posts in the 300-350 range, game on. Abbas will be hard play on these surfaces and khurram will come good too
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no specialist spinner in ur lineup?

I will drop Naseem for Noman Ali here
 
heddie19 said:
As per reports, ABD is getting dropped due to is horrible ongoing form. Saim and Shan will open with KG and BA to follow in the top order.
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Would be the right call if true.

I still highly rate Abdullah but he's looked all out of sorts lately. Nothing wrong with sitting a couple of games, especially when it's in a tough batting place like South Africa.

Will be a real test for Kamran & Saud to see how they handle that extra bounce. Saud really struggled with it in Australia and for Pakistan to have a shot at winning this, they'll need the middle order to be good. Babar & Saud were horrific in Australia and Pakistan could have had at least one win on that tour if they were even half decent.
 
My team will look like this:

Saim
Shan
Ghulam
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Salman
Abbas
Noman ali
Khurram
Hamza

I know they might try to fit in Abdullah as he is very classy so Kamran might miss out but I think Shan should be sane enough to judge that Abdullah is a walking wicket and drop him
 
heddie19 said:
Question: Will Babar play? if yes then in place of whom? I don't see Abdullah scoring runs with this form and confidence. Shan should move to opening slot with Saim and Babar and KG to follow. Do not want KG to be dropped after his 100 in the last test series.
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This has to happen. However, I'd move Ghulam up to #3. Also, not sure why people aren't putting Aamer Jamal in their XIs. He's a lock for these conditions on his bowling alone but strengthens our batting too. No spinner is the way to go with both Saim and Salman in good form with ball in hand.

1) Saim
2) Shan (c)
3) Ghulam
4) Babar
5) Saud
6) Rizwan (wk)
7) Salman
8) Jamal
9) Naseem
10) Khurrum
11) Abbas
 
heddie19 said:
As per reports, ABD is getting dropped due to is horrible ongoing form. Saim and Shan will open with KG and BA to follow in the top order.
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KG at no. 3 on South African pitches would be something. I think Babar is better suited to bat at no. 3
 
Centurion is not regarded as a spin-friendly wicket. Think all-pace might not be a bad way to go, especially if you have Agha in the line-up. Also, Jamal deserves to play after the way he performed in Australia.
 
Rain is expected in the last 3 Days. Tomorrow it won't rain (hopefully). So win the toss and bat first might be the way to go. Though there maybe some moisture.
 
boomboomcheema said:
How's weather guys for tomorrow..
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Looks good fro 1st 2 days but then we might have rain spoilers.

ZoLMebm.png
 
I hope KG do well against SAF. He is good in his shots as he play with full interest. He can score a century
 
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