Pakistan Test Squad Against South Africa

After beating their rivals on the ground, Its time now for Pakistan team to beat the number one test team in the world. South Africa is currently playing second test match against New-Zealand and will play against Pakistan in next month.
Pakistan Cricket board has announced the squad which will be leading by Misbah-ul-haq. Under his captaincy Pakistan had never lose a single test match.

Surprise Packages:

Akmal Brothers are axed:

This is some what a surprising to see after a long time not a single Akmal brother is included in the test squad. Adnan Akmal who has been a consistent keeper for Pakistan test team is not include. Sarfaraz Ahmed is chosen as a wicket keeper. Umar Akmal inclusion is not surprising in the test squad as he is not showing some great performances from his bat.

The Giant is selected for the test:

7'1" tall Muhammad Irfan who has shown a marvelous performance against India is selected in the test squad. Perhaps not pick so many wickets but was unplayable with the new ball. After the first ODI against India there was questions regarding his fitness in the depth over of the play. May be he was selected as he bowls extraordinary well with the new ball but his fitness could be the issue. He has to be chosen wisely for the team 11 in any of the test. And if selected he should take care of his fitness. More over after that there will be ODI's and T-20 matches. So his fitness will be the key. Other than that conditions of South Africa's pitches will support him greatly.

Nasir Jamshed's Inclusion:

Well he is a surprise in the sense that in the presence of Taufeeq Umar and Hafeez he is included. But his inclusion was actually because of his performance against India in ODI's. His performance was extra ordinary against India scoring two consecutive hundred. Probably the best batsman to face against South Africa from Pakistan at present considering his performance against India. He is also being compared with Saeed Anwar, very few times it happens when a Pakistani Batsman is being compared. But that all was against a bowling line up which is struggling greatly. He has to take care against bowlers like Philander, Steyn and Morkel. Also Kallis can create some problems with old ball. So all in all he will be facing against the best bowling attack in the world. Also if he is inducted may be we will see Hafeez playing down the order. And the biggest Problem for Pakistan in the test series will be their batting not the bowling. So he may be there to fix it.  

Pakistan team in this tour going with four fast bowlers and two spinners. And as the condition suggest they will be playing with 3+1 bowlers rather than 2+2 which they pursue in Dubai conditions. And they have got very proficient bowlers to attack South African batting line up. Also Muhammad Hafeez will be a great support to the bowling line-up. 

Pakistan team playing first test match after almost half a year. Besides, not playing since six months they are at spot 4 in ICC ranking of test. Still they need to play out of the skin to play and beat the best test cricket team in the world. 

Pakistan Test Squad Against South Africa:

Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Taufiq Umar, Mohammad Irfan, Sarfraz Ahmed(WK), Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Haris Sohail.