After pulling up a surprise yet convincing win in the first Test, Pakistan take on South Africa in the second Test at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (23-27 October).
Where to Watch Live:
The match will begin at 11:30 am IST (07:00 a.m. BST) and will be telecast live on Ten Cricket and Ten HD in India and on PTV Sports in Pakistan.
Overview:
Pakistan come into the contest after a seven-wicket victory in the first Test. They were underdogs but ended South Africa's unbeaten seven-year away record convincingly. They will be keen to win the series.
On the other hand, South Africa were the favourites to win the series but fumbled at the very outset. They are trailing 0-1 in the two-match Test series, so they will be eager to bounce back and level the series.
Previews Meetings:
South Africa have 11-4 win-loss record against Pakistan from 22 Tests, out of which seven Tests ended in a draw.
Team News:
Pakistan: Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq is likely to retain the squad that won the 1st Test in the second Test too.
South Africa: Hashim Amlam, who scored 118 in the 1st Test, has been ruled out as he has flown home for the delivery of his second child. So, Dean Elgar will replace the world's top-ranked batsman. Speedster Dale Steyn is likely to play despite fitness doubts, while Imran Tahir is likely to replace Robin Peterson.
Preview:
Khurram Manzoor and Misbah-ul-Haq scored centuries apiece in the first Test, while Shan Masood and Asad Shafiq scored half centuries each. They will be expected to perform again in the second Test.
The credit for the first Test win goes to the bowlers - Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar, Saeed Ajmal, and Junaid Khan - who played superbly. Ajmal took six wickets, while Babar took five, and Khan and Irfan took four wickets each. Pakistan have good chance of winning the series if the bolwers put up a similar show in the second Test.
On the other hand, South Africa will miss the contribution of its key batsman Hashim Amlam who is not available for the second Test. He scored 118 in the first Test, while JP Duminy and AB de Villiers scored half centuries apiece. Other batsmen have to step up and perform if they want to avoid a series loss.
Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn were the leading wicket takers in the previous Test with five and four wickets respectively. They will be expected to rip through the batting line-up of Pakistan in the second Test and help the team level the series.
Prediction:
South Africa are favourites to win.
Squads:
Pakistan Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Adnan Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Junaid Khan, Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Shan Masood, Umar Amin, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar
South Africa Squad: Graeme Smith (c), AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile
