All eyes will be on Azhar Ali. He is going through a lean patch as a batsman, averaging 19.33 in his last 12 test innings! However, he’s been an integral part of the test team since the 2010 dreadful tour of England.
I doubt Misbah would want to change a winning unit but would you be in favour of playing Umar Amin for instance in place of Azhar?
I believe that Azhar should be persisted with.
start time: 10:00 local | 06:00 GMT | 07:00 BST
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
it is a tough one....but in the end lets persist with azhar. With Younis and misbah abt to retire , we need a strong test player. azhar can fill the gap but he is struggling right now. lets give him a chance.
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
Stick with Azhar.
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
If we whitewash the Saffers then Ehsan uncle is giving us party 
:shoaby:
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
If Pakistan manage to win or draw the next game then we will move to #4 ahead of Australia :k:, currently Pakistan is at #5 after last win!
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
Steyn is rumoured to be unfit as well.
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
Don't bust out the firecrackers yet. Pakistan is an amateur team that might bust up at 50 all out and have an innings defeat even with a down south Africa. I still don't get how we lot three wickets while chasing 40 runs.
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
Don't bust out the firecrackers yet. Pakistan is an amateur team that might bust up at 50 all out and have an innings defeat even with a down south Africa. I still don't get how we lot three wickets while chasing 40 runs.
No firecrackers but Pakistan still got one notch up in ranking :)
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
. I still don't get how we lot three wickets while chasing 40 runs.
You were expecting more wickets ??
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
:hehe:
Alternative Cricket @AltCricket](https://twitter.com/AltCricket)1h
Hashim Amla will miss 2nd Test as his baby is yet to be delivered. If he’s like his dad, he’ll never get out.
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
0/1 :hinna:
Khurram gone …
Bhai pahlay batting karnay ka kia shouq churaya tha 
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
Kapil: "That's the problem with youngsters/aggressive players like Mazoor. No time given to understand the pitch/movement etc.. Any opener should spend at least 30 balls to play a shot like that.."
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
Toss, 9.30 am Misbah tosses. Smith calls heads but it's a tail. That's the first toss Pakistan have won in ten Tests. Misbah goes on a yarn before saying what his side are going to do. Finally, Pakistan will bat. They are also playing an unchanged XI.
Smith said he would have batted first too. Dale Steyn has come through his fitness test and is okay to play so that's a boost for South Africa. They have made two changes though: Dean Elgar in for Amla, and Imran Tahir replaces Robin Peterson.
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
come on Azhar, a big inning is due on you 
2.3
Steyn to Azhar Ali, no run, caught in the gully once again and the South Africans are excited. The umpire says not out because I think the ball has come off the batsman’s arm. Smith asks for a review! Steyn changed his length this time, pitching it short of a length. Azhar dropped his wrists but did not sway out of the way and wore the ball on the arm. It hit him just above the arm guard and looped up to Faf once again. I think the South Africans just got carried away with that one
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
4.4
Steyn to Shan Masood, FOUR, very full outside the off stump, Masood reaches for it and squeezes it between point and gully. Du Plessis is in hot pursuit and he puts in a full length dive to slap the ball away with his right hand just before it hit the rope. Quite spectacular. But his left hand was touching the rope so that's a boundary
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
I am fan of Azhar batting but he must think to take run rather then just to block the ball. Umar Amin was nice choice for this test .
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
16/1
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
these two openers better score half a century each to give Pak a firm grip on the match.
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
Hope fully Azhar stays for a long time.
Re: 2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Dubai, Oct 23-27, 2013
Azhar Ali is out lbw to Morkel. 38/2