Proteas ready to make history in Pakistan
Following a thirteen year absence the Proteas will begin a new era in the sub-continental country of Pakistan when they start the first test of their two-match series on Tuesday at the Karachi National Stadium.
Historically South Africa have faired well in Pakistan with their last trip in 2007 ended with a one-nil series win for the Proteas, however 2021 will be completely different as none of the touring party have played first-class cricket in Pakistan.
The side will have their coaching staff to draw experience from with head coach Mark Boucher the veteran of a number of Pakistan tours, however his tours were played in a very different time of the year.
"Not only is the weather a lot cooler, I think the conditions are completely different to what I experienced in the past," coach Boucher said. "We got expecting certain conditions but it hasn't been what we thought it was going to be.
"We found that the outfield was very green and quite moist as well so I don't know how big a weapon reverse swing is going to be and judging by the way Pakistan have selected their squad I think it's definitely going to turn.
"I think the conditions are going to be proper sub-continent conditions with very little assistance for the seamers."
Traditionally the Proteas only announce their playing eleven on the morning of the test match and Boucher is playing his cards close to his chest when it came to who will be playing in the first test.
"We are definitely going to need more than one spinner because I don't think that reverse swing is going to be as much of a role as we thought.
"We have selected Tabraiz (Shamsi) in the squad as an attacking spinner to give him a chance in spinning conditions but in saying that there might be one of two surprises, there might not be."
With the starting eleven still a mystery, Boucher knows that the side he selects will have all their bases covered when it comes to taking twenty wickets in the match.
"On slow surfaces you need pace through the air which I think we have and you need to balance that out with a containing role which we have covered.
"We have an attack option in the spin department so we definitely not going to go into the game just wanting to contain we want to pick up twenty wickets in these conditions.
"The guys are not going to die wondering and it looks like they are setting it up for spin so if you see a lot of spin in our line-up then that's the way we feel we are going to pick up twenty wickets," he added.
The match coverage begins at 07:00am South African time.
Proteas Test Squad:
Quinton de Kock (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (Imperial Lions), Lutho Sipamla (Imperial Lions), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Kyle Verreynne (Six Gun Gill Cape Cobras), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Keegan Petersen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), George Linde (Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras), Daryn Dupavillon (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
