[VIDEOS/PICTURES] South Africa tour of Pakistan after 14 years (2021)

[MenInG]

And with the least amount of fuss, SA are on their way to Pakistan!

 

[MenInG]

SA have arrived in Pakistan!

 

[ChTab]

Really great to see SA back in Pakistan, last time when Bangladesh toured they made alot of fuss. This is great from SA

 

[MenInG]

Really great to see SA back in Pakistan, last time when Bangladesh toured they made alot of fuss. This is great from SA

And such minimum fuss!

No huge deal made

1. Get security assessment done
2. Agree on protocols
3. Fly over
4. End of!

 

[Bigboii]

And such minimum fuss!

No huge deal made

1. Get security assessment done
2. Agree on protocols
3. Fly over
4. End of!

Ah exactly what I was thinking
Thorough professionals these saffers

 

[ChTab]

And such minimum fuss!

No huge deal made

1. Get security assessment done
2. Agree on protocols
3. Fly over
4. End of!

Exactly, and Bangladesh were acting like they are 10 times world champions & they are touring to Afghanistan.

 

[MenInG]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/kac6rj" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Touchdown Pakistan after 14 years.

 

[MenInG]

Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza to umpire South Africa Tests

Lahore, 16 January 2021:

Aleem Dar will officiate in his first-ever Test at home, while on-field umpire Ahsan Raza and match referee Mohammad Javed Malik will also make their Test debuts as the Pakistan Cricket Board, on behalf of the International Cricket Council, today confirmed match officials’ appointments for the two-match series between Pakistan and South Africa, which starts in Karachi on 26 January.

Elite panelist Aleem Dar has umpired in a record 132 Tests since making his debut in 2003 in Dhaka, while Ahsan part of the international panel has umpired in 37 ODIs and 57 T20Is to date. Javed Malik, a former first-class cricketer and a member of the ICC’s international panel, has refereed in 10 ODIs and six T20Is.

Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz will be the third and fourth umpires, respectively, while Javed Malik will lead the playing control team for both the Tests. The second Test will begin in Rawalpindi from 4 February.

As per the ICC’s interim playing regulations, the requirement to appoint third country officials has temporarily been removed from the playing conditions for all international formats owing to the current logistical challenges with international travel. The ICC, however, continues to appoint locally based match officials from the ICC Elite Panel of Match Officials and the ICC International Panel of Match Officials.

For the three-match T20I series, Javed Malik will continue to be the match referee, while Aleem and Ahsan Raza will be the on-field umpires for the first match with Shozab Raza in the TV umpire’s box and Asif Yaqoob as fourth umpire.

Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob will stand in the second T20I with Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz as third and fourth umpires, respectively, while Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz will be the on-field umpires for the third T20I with Ahsan Raza and Shozab Raza as third and fourth umpires, respectively.

Aleem Dar: “It will definitely be an emotional moment for me to umpire in a Test involving Pakistan. It has been nearly a 17-year and 132-Test wait, but its about to be over. Like the players, the match officials also want to umpire in matches on home ground, something we achieve in white-ball cricket, but Test cricket remains the pinnacle format and I am delighted that I will be standing in the two Tests between two excellent sides.”

Pakistan v South Africa - Umpire and match referee appointments:

26-30 Jan – 1st Test. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)

4-8 Feb – 2nd Test. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)

11 Feb – 1st T20I. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Shozab Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)

13 Feb – 2nd T20I. Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)

14 Feb – 3rd T20I. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Shozab Raza (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee).

ICC’s interim playing regulations, which will be applicable to the upcoming series, are:

Ban on applying saliva to the ball: Players will not be permitted to use saliva to shine the ball. If a player does apply saliva to the ball, the umpires will manage the situation with some leniency during an initial period of adjustment for the players, but subsequent instances will result in the team receiving a warning.

A team can be issued up to two warnings per innings but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a 5-run penalty to the batting side. Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball before play recommences.

Additional DRS reviews: The CEC has also confirmed an additional unsuccessful DRS review for each team in each innings of a match, keeping in mind that there may be less experienced umpires on duty at times. This will increase the number of unsuccessful appeals per innings for each team to two for the white-ball formats.

The ICC Cricket Operations team will support Match Referees when processing Code of Conduct breaches and a neutral Elite Panel match referee will conduct any hearing remotely via video link.

 

[Mesozoic]

Great to see!

 

[Ryw]

I dont know but I am getting emotional seeing these pics...

Very nice to see South African cricket team in Pakistan after 14 years.

Nostalogic feelings of Test cricket comes in mind, smogy mornings early sessions bowling friendly conditions, later in the day batting friendly.

Test Cricket Zindabad.

 

[Mobashir]

Great to see this happen again after so many years.
Hopefully we have some good cricket.

 

[Mesozoic]

Exactly, and Bangladesh were acting like they are 10 times world champions & they are touring to Afghanistan.

Crass comment!

Just a year before , their national team was less than 100 meters away from a deadly attack in Christchurch. Nothing wrong on their part to be a bit apprehensive and an extra bit careful. Their lives matter just as much as those of the "10 times world championships".

 

[sharmaji]

Wonderful to see this. I hope the series is an exciting one. Please prepare good pitches.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Crass comment!

Just a year before , their national team was less than 100 meters away from a deadly attack in Christchurch. Nothing wrong on their part to be a bit apprehensive and an extra bit careful. Their lives matter just as much as those of the "10 times world championships".

We all know their dramatics were out of spite. Strange toxic behavior just to spin negative press. PCB showed maturity in dealing with these clowns.

A SENA team finally lands in Pakistan. We lost 10 years of home cricket.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This is wonderful to see.

I think another reason they made minimal fuss is because they are grateful that Pakistan is going to be touring them soon, at a time when they had a tour cancelled and many have questioned their COVID protocols. And Pakistan is sending both their men and women teams.

Still appreciate them making minimal fuss. All this goes a long way in normalizing international tours to Pakistan, which I think has happened now with England confirming to tour soon.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

A great day for Pakistan cricket.

Hope to see competitive games with Pak winning all of them!

Oh, and burn haters burn. Cricket is coming back to Pak

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Crass comment!

Just a year before , their national team was less than 100 meters away from a deadly attack in Christchurch. Nothing wrong on their part to be a bit apprehensive and an extra bit careful. Their lives matter just as much as those of the "10 times world championships".

Actually Pakistan gave Bangladesh a detailed security tour, like they give all teams. They wanted to be treated like Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka got a different treatment because they were the first major side to visit Pakistan since the attack. But once both their tours went smoothly it was evident that security protocols worked effectively.

What Bangladesh were doing was playing politics. And it worked for them. They managed to avoid another drubbing they were bound to get in the second test.

 

[adzzy786]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/kac6rj" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Touchdown Pakistan after 14 years.

All have masks on and then a Pakistanis head pops in the video and he doesn’t have his mask covering his face! Typical Pakistani

 

[Hasan123]

Wonderful images.

 

[adzzy786]

Win or loose isn’t my priority I really pray and hope they have a safe tour and the security measures are in place and adhered to

 

[Titan24]

A SENA team finally lands in Pakistan. We lost 10 years of home cricket.

A huge setback which people conveniently ignore when they talk about performances and direction of Pak cricket in the last decade. Cricket at home serves countless purposes which playing in a neutral venue would never have served and it didn’t.

 

[Birdman]

What a great day for Pakistani cricket and for cricketing community as a whole. Congratulation and one this a dawn of a new era. Wished this was Indian cricket team, but our central government is hell bent in playing politics.

 

[shaz619]

Great images, a proper Test series in Pakistan after so long; their fans deserve this after being so patient. Hopefully all goes well! looking forward to some great cricket

 

[UzmanBeast]

Great to see.

Cricket is returning home in great amounts.

PCB should tour SA as well, to thank them for making the sacrifice during such times.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Security is TIGHT! &#55357;&#56961;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karachi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karachi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSA</a> &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;&#55356;&#56831;&#55356;&#56806; <a href="https://t.co/SCjIOf22Pr">pic.twitter.com/SCjIOf22Pr</a></p>— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) <a href="https://twitter.com/shamsi90/status/1350325339638136836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Real life Call Of Duty &#55357;&#56846;<br><br>These guys aren't playing with small guns and they mean business!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoSmiles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoSmiles</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GameFace?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GameFace</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karachi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karachi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/N9kMVTuzqS">pic.twitter.com/N9kMVTuzqS</a></p>— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) <a href="https://twitter.com/shamsi90/status/1350325703393345536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[hitthestump]

I dont know but I am getting emotional seeing these pics...

Very nice to see South African cricket team in Pakistan after 14 years.

Nostalogic feelings of Test cricket comes in mind, smogy mornings early sessions bowling friendly conditions, later in the day batting friendly.

Test Cricket Zindabad.

Love the use of the Malik emoji. He was in the team last time SA came to Pakistan

 

[angrypathan]

It's come home

 

[Slim]

Historic stuff. Thank you so much South Africa. Its an absolute honor!

 

[Rana]

You know South Africa have always been our homies from day one.

This gesture will not be forgotten! Pakistan will be there for SA if ever needed in their time of need

 

[mastermind_quad]

I love it.
Congratulations Pakistan and Fans

This is huge.

I hope Pakistan will never play their home series outside Pakistan again.

 

[leg-side-flick]

Badhai ho bhai log, you guys deserve it....

Hopefully India will also tour some day....

 

[naseem]

Thanks a ton 2 proteas...love u all...welcome....khusamdin

 

[hur rizvi]

Lovely scenes. Hoping for a great series and can't thank SA enough

 

[Omer2002]

Welcome Welcome may you have a great stay

 

[JaDed]

Wonderful images.. cant wait for the series.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Welcome Saffers.. You'll enjoy your stay in our country!

 

[guldozer]

Welcome Saffers.. You'll enjoy your stay in our country!

They'll be stuck in a hotel all day. I doubt they'll get to roam around unfortunately.

 

[Omer2002]

They'll be stuck in a hotel all day. I doubt they'll get to roam around unfortunately.

With Covid i doubt they would want to roam anyways

 

[Markhor]

Welcome South Africa.

Pakistan's overall record in Tests vs SAF is pathetic, 4 wins in 26 Tests and last Test series win in 2003. Need to fix that now.

 

[MenInG]

South Africa's first training and practice session has started at Karachi Gymkhana (Pictures courtesy of the PCB)

 

[MachoKhan]

Are the facilities good otherwise it will be embarrassing

 

[MenInG]

Are the facilities good otherwise it will be embarrassing

This is a ground next to their hotel - they will probably do main practice at NSK

 

[MenInG]

When the South African cricket team takes on Pakistan in the first Test in Karachi on January 26, one important member of their think tank, much-respected performance analyst of 11 years, Prasanna Agoram will be “working from home” in Bangalore. He has been unable to join his team which landed in Pakistan on Saturday as he has an Indian visa, and the South African team management told him that despite their efforts, he can’t travel to the country due to “security protocols”.

Clad in a South African team jersey, wearing his official training shoes, Agoram will be in his dining room at home, amidst a trail of wires, two laptops, a UPS for uninterrupted power supply and with a bowl of murukku, the crunchy-savoury snack, and filter coffee.

“I am like a dead man walking,” Agoram tells The Indian Express, unable to hide his disappointment at missing his first series ever since he joined South Africa. “I will do my best from here but yes, this is a big blow for me and for the players in the team who depend on me for the detailed analysis that’s best done from the ground. But we need to understand the protocols in place. I have been told that Lalchand Rajput, former India player who coaches Zimbabwe, couldn’t travel to Pakistan, umpire Aleem Dar is unable to come for work to India and such. So, I am not the only person.”

Agoram won’t be able to transmit instant analysis and technical and tactical feedback as security protocols during match time prevent telecommunication from outside the dressing room. Only the manager of the team is allowed to have a phone during match time, and even that is restricted to logistical purposes. Usually, Prasanna is most active on match days, transferring his inputs at drinks breaks or with the coaches through the game.

Feedback after play

He has his plans to work around the situation though. At the end of the day’s play, by the time the players get back to their hotel rooms, they would be sent individual digital documents which would give them details on what they did right, what they did wrong, and how they can improve. The coaches will have data available for them to work on.

Clad in a South African team jersey, wearing his official training shoes, Agoram will be in his dining room. (File)
“Players who need face-to-face chats – the medium that they prefer- will have Zoom calls and such. Where I can take them through slides, if needed. Or just talk and share. I have a UPS with one hour back-up. I am all set to do ball-by-ball analysis,” Prasanna says.

As ever, he has been hard at work in recent days, culling data – numbers and video footage -from Pakistan domestic matches, analysing the home team including their new players, and preparing tactical methods to tackle their spinners and bowl at their batsmen.

Not the same feeling

However, all this can’t replicate the feel of being at the ground. “What I would miss most is the week before the Test match, actually. That’s when the real prep work gets done.” He gives an example to make his case.

“Let’s say, the sweep shot. The best player of the sweep there has ever been is Pakistan’s Younis Khan. What I do is have his technique on a split frame on the left-hand side.” He then takes the footage he shoots of the South African batsmen and places it on the right frame. “I then compare and tell the batsmen what more they can do. They don’t have to do it like Younis, of course, as his method and physical traits are different but to give an idea about how low they can get. What’s the ideal height and length to go for?”

That ideal height has to take in the bounce and turn in the pitches. “That’s best seen live at the nets. Then we can tweak accordingly. And there are several sweep shots – the flat sweep, the paddle, the reverse, the slog, and all that is also best worked out on the ground and tailored according to the spinner they will be facing. That can be communicated from here, but again nothing like being there. Someone like Temba Bavuma likes to see analysis and video footage from nets and tailor it. One good thing is that these players are highly professional and good; so, they will adjust but still I feel I could have added more if I were there.”

Hopeful of good result

Agoram is upbeat about South Africa’s chances in the series. “We just beat Sri Lanka and also in Galle (2014), a place where even India hasn’t been able to (win of late). In Keshav Maharaj, we have one of the best finger spinners in the world. How many bowlers have taken nine wickets in an innings? Tabraiz Shamsi is coming along very nicely and George Linde, the left-arm spinner, is very talented. Our fast bowlers are known to the world; so are our batsmen who just did it again in Sri Lanka.”

One thing the players will miss is smearing the cake on Prasanna’s birthday on January 23. “I am the one who creates the most mess on players’ birthdays, smearing cake on their faces. Their revenge is on my birthday. That they will miss now!” he says with a laugh. “I have been with them for 11 years; the bonding is something out of this world.”

As ever, once the umpire says, ‘let’s play’ and the bowler runs in to bowl for the first ball of the match, Agoram says an internal monologue will run in his mind. “I visualise Amitabh Bachchan about to start the ‘fastest fingers first’ round in his show Kaun Banega Crorepati. “Aap ka time shuru hota hai ab!” (Your time starts now!).

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...g-pak-series-after-being-denied-visa-7149268/

 

[gani999]

Very heartening to see that one of the SENA teams is touring Pakistan. It will give Pakistan's cricket the much needed boost. I hope the other SENA teams follow and that Pakistani players get to play all their home games in their real home.

 

[MenInG]

South Africa training and practice pictures - Karachi Gymkhana

 

[Heisenberg111]

Welcome South Africa.

Pakistan's overall record in Tests vs SAF is pathetic, 4 wins in 26 Tests and last Test series win in 2003. Need to fix that now.

Only West Indies and New Zealand have worse records against South Africa than Pakistan. In fact NZ have never won a test series against SA. West Indies too is yet to win a proper test series against SA (excluding the one off test in 1992).

 

[samiakh]

I thought they had to quarantine a few days??

 

[Amjid Javed]

Real positive pictures to see these guys arrived in pakistan for a proper test tour. Hopefully this will allow for other teams to do the same. Pakistan does need to improve its very poor record vs SA in this series. Both teams are weak in terms of quality.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Last Monetarist]

I thought they had to quarantine a few days??

No quarantine requirements in Pakistan.

 

[Gullycricket]

Lovely images. Hope this brings a new dawn in our cricket. Kudos to Faf, De Kock and Co for touring. Welcome!!!

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cricket South Africa and their tour of Pakistan:<br><br>Pre tour discussions with PCB<br>Security check<br>Agree to tour<br>Arrive in Karachi<br>No drama<br>No fuss<a href="https://t.co/IohfjzjSeM">pic.twitter.com/IohfjzjSeM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSA</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1350835654142386176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Varun]

Fair to say the dark days of 2009 are behind Pakistan.

 

[Rana]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cricket South Africa and their tour of Pakistan:<br><br>Pre tour discussions with PCB<br>Security check<br>Agree to tour<br>Arrive in Karachi<br>No drama<br>No fuss<a href="https://t.co/IohfjzjSeM">pic.twitter.com/IohfjzjSeM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvSA</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1350835654142386176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The music in this video reminds me of the games Bangladesh were playing last year in order to miss the series or move it to UAE )

 

[dravidthewall]

I am indian ,but i am emotional that south africa team travels to pakistan. Its really good for cricket in pakistan .Hope india will travel soon.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

This truly is great to watch.

There is no way one can account for Pakistan's loss of confidence that emanated from not playing regularly at home. Given that - I am actually amazed Pakistan cricket is still standing and achieving whatever they did.

I really hope Pakistan sheds their 90's cavalier attitude when playing at home when they lost a few series - and make a solid determination to turn Pakistan into a fortress.

Look forward to a competitive series.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I am indian ,but i am emotional that south africa team travels to pakistan. Its really good for cricket in pakistan .Hope india will travel soon.

like your pp name mate, Dravid is one of the best and humble personalities in the world cricket.

 

[sam_ahm]

Good to see many major teams touring Pakistan.

Hopefully this covid thing will end soon and we will see crowd back in all the countries.

 

[Napa]

Happy for the Pakistani fans that international cricket has returned to their country.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Great images these. So nice to see South Africa back in Pakistan. Last time they were here was so long ago.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Last time SA was here were some turbulent times. After SA tour had just ended, I remember emergency had been placed in the whole country. Pak had started to become very unstable and insecure place to be around that time and it culminated in the horrific attack on SL team.
Our cricket went on a steep decline thereafter.

Hope it's a start for better times.

 

[TrentDevil]

I thought they had to quarantine a few days??

They are still in the bubble/group quarantine, no contact with anyone outside their contingent, they all tested negative before departure to Pakistan and also tested negative on arrival and hence no need for isolation.

They will be undergoing 9 Covid Tests during their stay in Pakistan.

 

[TrentDevil]

Are the facilities good otherwise it will be embarrassing

They are training at Karachi Gymkhana, one of the oldest and probably the most elite Cricket Club in Pakistan, the facilities are world class and it's actually more than just a cricket club, facilities go beyond then what cricketers require.

 

[MenInG]

When the South African cricket team takes on Pakistan in the first Test in Karachi on January 26, one important member of their think tank, much-respected performance analyst of 11 years, Prasanna Agoram will be “working from home” in Bangalore. He has been unable to join his team which landed in Pakistan on Saturday as he has an Indian visa, and the South African team management told him that despite their efforts, he can’t travel to the country due to “security protocols”.

Clad in a South African team jersey, wearing his official training shoes, Agoram will be in his dining room at home, amidst a trail of wires, two laptops, a UPS for uninterrupted power supply and with a bowl of murukku, the crunchy-savoury snack, and filter coffee.

“I am like a dead man walking,” Agoram tells The Indian Express, unable to hide his disappointment at missing his first series ever since he joined South Africa. “I will do my best from here but yes, this is a big blow for me and for the players in the team who depend on me for the detailed analysis that’s best done from the ground. But we need to understand the protocols in place. I have been told that Lalchand Rajput, former India player who coaches Zimbabwe, couldn’t travel to Pakistan, umpire Aleem Dar is unable to come for work to India and such. So, I am not the only person.”

Agoram won’t be able to transmit instant analysis and technical and tactical feedback as security protocols during match time prevent telecommunication from outside the dressing room. Only the manager of the team is allowed to have a phone during match time, and even that is restricted to logistical purposes. Usually, Prasanna is most active on match days, transferring his inputs at drinks breaks or with the coaches through the game.

Feedback after play

He has his plans to work around the situation though. At the end of the day’s play, by the time the players get back to their hotel rooms, they would be sent individual digital documents which would give them details on what they did right, what they did wrong, and how they can improve. The coaches will have data available for them to work on.

Clad in a South African team jersey, wearing his official training shoes, Agoram will be in his dining room. (File)
“Players who need face-to-face chats – the medium that they prefer- will have Zoom calls and such. Where I can take them through slides, if needed. Or just talk and share. I have a UPS with one hour back-up. I am all set to do ball-by-ball analysis,” Prasanna says.

As ever, he has been hard at work in recent days, culling data – numbers and video footage -from Pakistan domestic matches, analysing the home team including their new players, and preparing tactical methods to tackle their spinners and bowl at their batsmen.

Not the same feeling

However, all this can’t replicate the feel of being at the ground. “What I would miss most is the week before the Test match, actually. That’s when the real prep work gets done.” He gives an example to make his case.

“Let’s say, the sweep shot. The best player of the sweep there has ever been is Pakistan’s Younis Khan. What I do is have his technique on a split frame on the left-hand side.” He then takes the footage he shoots of the South African batsmen and places it on the right frame. “I then compare and tell the batsmen what more they can do. They don’t have to do it like Younis, of course, as his method and physical traits are different but to give an idea about how low they can get. What’s the ideal height and length to go for?”

That ideal height has to take in the bounce and turn in the pitches. “That’s best seen live at the nets. Then we can tweak accordingly. And there are several sweep shots – the flat sweep, the paddle, the reverse, the slog, and all that is also best worked out on the ground and tailored according to the spinner they will be facing. That can be communicated from here, but again nothing like being there. Someone like Temba Bavuma likes to see analysis and video footage from nets and tailor it. One good thing is that these players are highly professional and good; so, they will adjust but still I feel I could have added more if I were there.”

Hopeful of good result

Agoram is upbeat about South Africa’s chances in the series. “We just beat Sri Lanka and also in Galle (2014), a place where even India hasn’t been able to (win of late). In Keshav Maharaj, we have one of the best finger spinners in the world. How many bowlers have taken nine wickets in an innings? Tabraiz Shamsi is coming along very nicely and George Linde, the left-arm spinner, is very talented. Our fast bowlers are known to the world; so are our batsmen who just did it again in Sri Lanka.”

One thing the players will miss is smearing the cake on Prasanna’s birthday on January 23. “I am the one who creates the most mess on players’ birthdays, smearing cake on their faces. Their revenge is on my birthday. That they will miss now!” he says with a laugh. “I have been with them for 11 years; the bonding is something out of this world.”

As ever, once the umpire says, ‘let’s play’ and the bowler runs in to bowl for the first ball of the match, Agoram says an internal monologue will run in his mind. “I visualise Amitabh Bachchan about to start the ‘fastest fingers first’ round in his show Kaun Banega Crorepati. “Aap ka time shuru hota hai ab!” (Your time starts now!).

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...g-pak-series-after-being-denied-visa-7149268/

CSA have clarified that Agoram has completed his assignment with CSA and is no longer employed by them

 

[MenInG]

Video courtesy of CSA - Training on Day 2

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[AamchiMumbaikar]

Hoping to see a competitive and non eventful series. Good luck to both teams!

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Video courtesy of CSA - Training on Day 2

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I can score a century on this pitch against Sohail Khan.

 

[MenInG]

Pictures of practice for South Africa

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Nortje bowling near full speed in the video at training.

Pakistan will be tested facing proper fast bowlers at 90mph+.

 

[Omer2002]

Rabada Nortje Moulder will get us big time...if somehow we do make cement wickets maharaj and shamzi will destroy us....not looking good this

 

[KoyoAli]

With Covid-19 restrictions severely limiting international travel options from South Africa, CSA now has a major logistical and cost problem if a planned Twenty20 international series, due to follow the Test matches, is to go ahead.

It had been expected that an almost completely different squad would play in the three T20 matches, with the Test squad returning to South Africa to prepare for a planned series against Australia.

The Test series in Pakistan is due to end on February 8 with the T20 internationals scheduled on February 11-14.

The home Test series against Australia, which has not yet been confirmed, is likely to start in early March, two weeks later than originally planned.

 

[JibranAnsari]

I wish we had a better team to compete against saffers , its gonna be a one way series.

So happy by the way to see saffers back here.

 

[shady]

Can’t wait to see the SA quicks in action. Should be a proper test for our batsmen in home conditions unlike Ban/SL.

 

[shamaan]

Should be a good series but pakistan should win the series.

 

[MenInG]

Good to see visitors enjoying themselves.

 

[Suleiman]

This is a huge moment. A true professional team in the country after so so long. Props to PCB and all the security personnel doing their parts.

Hopefully first of many more future tours by other full member squads.

 

[MenInG]

South Africa intra-squad practice match underway at the Karachi Gymkhana



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[MenInG]

Pictures (courtesy of the PCB) of the South Africa Test squad training ahead of the 1st Test against Pakistan which starts on 26th January

 

[MenInG]

Video courtesy of the CSA

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[Hitman]

Can't put into words how glad I am.