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Mohammad Hafeez's
omission from the Pakistan Test squad has given South Africa a clear
indication of where to draw the battle lines for the two-match series.
With Khurram Manzoor
set to occupy one opening spot, and the other yet to be decided but
likely to be filled with a less experienced batsman than Hafeez, South
Africa's seamers are targeting Pakistan's fragility at the top.
"Our pace attack against their opening batters will be important to set up the series for us," South Africa's coach Russell Domingo
said ahead of the first training session in Dubai. "Hafeez's form has
been a bit of a concern for them for a period of time. But he is a
quality bowler and a quality batsmen and we are not displeased that he
is unlikely to play a part."
Despite conditions expected to suit spinners more than quicks, Domingo
said the fast men will be tasked with putting Pakistan under pressure
from the get-go, by exploiting what appears to be their most obvious
weakness. Domingo said Test achievements were built on strong
first-wicket stands and if South Africa can prevent Pakistan from
establishing one, it will set them up in pushing for victory.
"If you look at South Africa's Test cricket, it has been successful
because of the way the openers have gone about their business," Domingo
said. "Its the most important partnership in any format. If you think of
great Test sides, like Australia had Hayden and Langer, that's the kind
of thing you need."
Domingo also played down talk of raging turners, saying he was ready
should the groundstaff prepare something different. "We've been involved
in series where we want a certain type of wicket and we don't get it,
so it's difficult to pre-empt," he said. The practice pitch at the
Sharjah Cricket Ground told a different story. Imran Tahir and JP Duminy
spent a significant amount of time bowling and both found substantial
turn.
And Pakistan certainly seem to be expecting spin. Without Hafeez to add
to the bowling options, they have Zulfiqar Babar, who will be hopeful of
a first Test cap, and who could be their surprise package. "We'll need
to have an in depth look at him and do some analysis," Domingo said. "He
has obviously got a lot of experience but we need to sit down and do
our homework."
So far South Africa have only had time to reacquaint themselves with
each other, after not playing as a Test outfit since March. On arrival
in Sharjah, they held a bonding session of sorts at an establishment
where they watched the country's national rugby team, the Springboks,
lose to New Zealand's All Blacks on Saturday afternoon.
The rest of the day was devoted to enjoying some quiet and Domingo hoped
it would help in acclimatising, especially to the heat. "When you get
here to start with the heat is always stifling but after four or five
days, you tend to get used to it."
Work, as is customary in this part of the world, began on Sunday morning
when they held their first team meeting. "We had a good chat and
emphasised the important elements that made this Test side so successful
and how we want to try and continue to do well," Domingo said.
They will have two days of training - today and tomorrow - before a
three-day warm-up game against Pakistan A. Domingo said he would have
preferred another practice outing but is satisfied that the cricket some
of the squad has played in the last few months will ensure they are
match-ready. "One warm-up game is not ideal. But its better than
nothing," he said. "Quite a lot of the guys have been playing cricket in
Champions League, Hashim [Amla] was playing county cricket and some
preparing with their franchises."
The last arrival from the CLT20 flew in today. Faf du Plessis was with
the Chennai Super Kings and left India on Sunday morning. He traveled
straight to the ground to join the practice. Thami Tsolekile, the
reserve wicketkeeper, will arrive later in the week. He is on
compassionate leave following the death of his mother-in-law.
South Africa will look to play 13 in their practice match to ensure
everybody has a "bit of a go," and have the opportunity to size up some
of the players who could form part of the opposition. Given that
Pakistan are likely to pick their other opener from the cricketers who
do duty in the warm-up match, with Ahmed Shehzad the leading candidate,
it will also give South Africa's quicks the chance to make a first
impression on whoever partners Manzoor at the top.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent
Feeds: Firdose Moonda
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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