Pakistan vs South Africa 2021, 1st Test: Match Preview And Prediction

The first game of the two-match Test series between the hosts Pakistan and the visitors South Africa will begin on Tuesday (26th January) at National Stadium (Karachi). This Test series will be a part of the 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship.

It will be the first international match for South Africa in Pakistan since 2007. Also, it will be the first Test match for a non-Asian side in Pakistan since October 2007.

Pakistan vs South Africa 2021, 1st Test: Match Preview

Pakistan

Pakistan recently played the away Test series against the hosts New Zealand, where they suffered two big defeats. In that tough challenge, the Pakistan players mostly failed to show strong character, excluding a few positive moments.

While Faheem Ashraf and Azhar Ali scored one 90s each during the recent Test series in New Zealand, Fawad Alam scored a fourth-innings Test century during the first Test of that series. However, their best batsman in that tour was wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan who scored 202 runs, including three half-centuries. As captain Babar Azam completely missed that tour due to thumb injury, Pakistan team badly missed him in that Test series.

Now, captain Babar Azam has returned to the Test squad. So, cricket fans can expect some positive cricket from the better Pakistan batting line-up in the home Test series.

Pakistan bowlers also failed to impress during the away Test series against New Zealand. As the pace bowling side hasn’t big experience in international cricket, their further experiences can help to improve this bowling side. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah will have to take a big responsibility in this home Test series.

Full 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

South Africa recently completed the home Test series against Sri Lanka, where they won the two-match Test series by the 2-0 margin. They totally dominated in both those home Tests against the inexperienced Sri Lankan side.

While Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis scored centuries in that Test series, Du Plessis just missed his maiden first-class double century for just one run. The other good performers in that home Test series were Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Kesav Maharaj. Now, the South African batsmen need to prove their consistency.

While Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi bowled really well in that Test series, Kagiso Rabada’s Test return only make their Test bowling side stronger. Nortje claimed a six-wicket haul during the second Test of that series and he finished that series as the most wicket-taker with 11 wickets, while Sipamla got 10 wickets and Mulder and Ngidi got 9 and 7 wickets respectively.

As South Africa is also in the restructuring phase in Test cricket, the Pakistan Test series is not going to be easy for them. After their Nottingham Test victory in July 2017, they have suffered seven consecutive away Test defeats, which they will surely want to change in this new tour.

Full Squad

Quinton de Kock (C), 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 2021, 1st Test: Match Prediction

Both teams are currently restructuring their Test teams. While Pakistan are desperate to play strong cricket at home, South Africa are desperate to end their recent Test losing streaks at outside their home.

Talking about the favourite for this Test series, Proteas are stronger than Pakistan as a team. But as the hosts, Pakistan can always make strong moves.