Pakistan’s Fawad Alam (2R) celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) next to his teammate Faheem Ashraf (L) during the second day of the first cricket Test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on January 27, 2021. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Pakistan vs South Africa: Second Test preview, where to watch
Pakistan come into the second Test with a 1-0 series lead hoping to secure their first-ever home series win over South Africa.
Pakistan’s Fawad Alam (2R) celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) next to his teammate Faheem Ashraf (L) during the second day of the first cricket Test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on January 27, 2021. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Pakistan host South Africa in the second Test of their two-match World Test Championship series in Rawalpindi from Thursday 4 February.
Play is scheduled to get underway at 07:00 (SAST) with the toss taking place at 06:30.
Pakistan come into the Test with a 1-0 series lead hoping to secure their first-ever home series win over South Africa.
Pakistan
Pakistan lifted some of the pressure on themselves with an adequate display in the first Test in Karachi but they are far from silencing their doubters.
Fawad Alam’s first innings century was the difference between the two sides but Pakistan’s batting still appears to be brittle and prone to collapse.
Babar Azam has yet to get up to speed but the experience of Azhar Ali has proven invaluable for the hosts.
Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah tormented the Proteas in the first Test and they will be expected to lead the attack in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (C), Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali , Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan.
South Africa
The South Africa Test side has been beset by issues with their top-order for some time and trips to Asia only exacerbate the exisiting problems.
While there were encouraging signs from Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, South Africa need greater contributions from Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock.
The Proteas face a sellection poser with Tabraiz Shamsi once-again fit to be selected. George Linde made little impact with the ball in the first Test but did contribute some valauble runs to the South African cause.
The Proteas may even return to an attack with just one spinner in Keshav Maharaj to accomodate the return of promising seam-bowling allrounder Wiaan Mulder.
South Africa squad: Quinton de Kock (capt), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, Marco Jansen.
Pakistan vs South Africa – Where to watch and match info
MATCH DETAILS
| Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | |
| Series | South Africa tour of Pakistan ICC World Test Championship |
| Season | 2020/21 |
| Match number | TEST No. 2408 |
| Hours of play (local time) | 10am start, Lunch 12.00-12.40, Tea 14.40-15.00, Close 17.00; Friday: Lunch 12.30-13.30; Tea: 15.30-15.50; Close: 17:20 |
| Match days | 4,5,6,7,8 February 2021 – day match (5-day match) |
| Umpires | Ahsan Raza Aleem Dar |
| TV Umpire | Asif Yaqoob |
| Reserve Umpire | Rashid Riaz |
| Match Referee | Muhammad Javed |
Stream and TV details
Scheduled start of play: 07:00 (SAST) 4 February
Streaming and TV broadcast details: SuperSport Cricket – DStv Now
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