Tough test ahead for Pakistan as South Africa favorites

Pakistan were never favorites to begin with. And with Yousuf not playing, our batting looks a lot weaker. Though they've had a good couple of years, Pakistan is horrible playing in the Southern hemisphere. Australia whipped us 3 years ago and I have a feeling South Africa will beat us, though not too emphatically, as the hosts themselves are searching for answers.

From the bowling aspect, Umar Gul is out for the first test match (if not 6 months?), which means Rana, MohammadAsif and Shahid Nazir will play. Kaneria is a definite inclusion against all teams not South Asian. Thus we will go with a 3 pronged pace attack, a leg spinner and Mohd. Hafeez will provide the all-rounding option. He got a couple of wickets against Rest of South Africa and he is an adequate spinner, if not better,in Shoaib Malik's absence.

The team management will probably play Faisal Iqbal. Though Asim Kamal should be playing, he wasn't included in the practice game, so he lacks match practice. Yasir Hameed, who has made a strong comeback against the Windies should be in the running.

Overall the batting is weak, and very brittle. Inzamam and Younis may be good players, but they aren't great because of their inability to conquer South African and Australian pitches. Younis Khan averages 19.75 in SA, while Inzamam averages 27.44. Not too impressive at all.

The batting will let us down again. India may have lost the series 2-1, but they are technically better players than Pakistan. I don't expect this current team to pick up playing bounce and seam overnight. Harmisson demolished us in England where we lost 3-0. McGrath was overpowering in Australia where we lost 3-0. What makes anyone think a slab of marble during net practice is going to change anything?