Was suprised to see Jammey play instead of Taufeeq but this is the long term plan. Unfortunately other than Parnell this SA side is a poor side so it will be a lot different when Steyn, Morkal and Philander open with the new ball.

Good to see we are adding more tests in our cal and a series V India will be great.

Yeah kash, good point about this bowling line up. Still playing well all things considered. Hafeez out now and Azhar 2 from 24 . I suspect this is the team they'll play with in first test.

Azhar out for 2. The guy looks lost at the crease. Lets hope he quickly finds form, otherwise the first wicket will bring a second quickly, putting pressure on the middle order.

Not the best place for Azhar to lose form. He needs to get out of this block mentality. Blocking the first 30 balls only put's pressure and allows the opposition to attack. He need's to play more shots.

pakistan from 120/1 to 150/6

The word TYPICAL springs to mind

The series was always going to be tough, this time we have no excuses, we are playing our best batsmen in this team. I heard PCB did not opt for Inzi as batting coach for this series. Wonder what are the reasons for that.

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Yeah good point about inzi. But after this display I fear for the rest of the series. Their opening bowlers will eat our middle order for lunch.

Younis,Azhar and Asad have good technique and I am confident that they will perform adequately in the test series and Pakistan upsetting SouthAfrica is my prediction.

You still confident after being 100/0 at lunch to 150/6 at tea against a local Saffers team? I'm abit more edgy.

dont think india will agree to play at a neutral venue

Im assuming they're having talks, otherwise a bit silly of the pcb to have already called off odis vs windies.

The most important variable is Pak-Ind relations.If the relations are good, then strong likelihood that there will be a series between Pakistan and India.

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Typical by Pakistan.

They cannot rely on one good partnership.

Things can change very quickly in cricket especially Test Cricket.

What is worst - this is a village team Pak are playing.

Imagine what it will be like when Steyn, Philander & Morkel come steaming with the new ball.

Its not like the sub continent - the new ball will stay shiny longer than in the sub continent conditions.

The inexperience showed massively.

This is why 1 warm up match is not enough in conditions like in South Africa.

Come on Pak - got to improve.

I meant to say

the new ball will stay shiny longer here in South African conditions than in the sub continent.

Unfortunately, todays plays is what it will probably be like for most of the tour for Pakistan. Openers are good, but would be interesting to see them tested by Steyn Morkel Philander. Last time Azhar played against a constant swinging ball was in the UK, and he didn't look pretty. Misbah has only played in New Zealand outside the sub continent and Asad Shafiq is still new.

I don't care.

At least you can concentrate on the league now, Mr President

It's soooo bad man...It's not even awful! We leak goals like an Indian bowling attack leaks runs...And score as much as a monk would score if he were on crack.

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The bowlers dont need batting practise, should declare now!

Yeah agree, done reasonably well to get to 300.

Millwall and Bradford > villa

Safraz has batted well.
Has dug Pak out of a big hole.

Dont want to get carried away but so far Safraz has justified his selection.

Hafeez & Ajmal are not proving to be effective, Not really a suprise becos Saffas condition tend to favour seam more than spin.

Umar Gul has been the most consistent bowler.
Junaid & Irfan are proving to be too costly.

Just as i type

Ajmal takes the big wicket of van Jaarsveld!