Pak-SA first Test today

DUBAI: First Test match between Pakistan and South Africa to begin today (Friday) at Dubai International stadium. Pak-SA’s much-anticipated test series will begin under clouds of corruption and death threats. It is the first time a test match will be played at the Dubai International stadium, and Pakistan will need to move on from the disturbing events of the last week, actually, of the past few months. Having lost Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, it is difficult to see Pakistan being a similar quality of opposition to the visitors than they proved to be in the one-day arena. Pakistan's fourth captain in a year, Misbah-ul-Haq, will have to - amongst many other things - justify his place as a player in the team. Talented bowler Mohammad Sami returns, as does Younis Khan, his first test in over a year. South Africa, currently ranked second in the world, are nipping at India's heels, and a win here would set up their home series against them quite nicely. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are currently the most potent new-ball pairing in the world, but it is difficult to see conditions in Dubai giving them much assistance. Misbah-ul-Haq in brief chatting with media hoped Pakistani team to put on a fighting show. “I know Pakistan cricket is countering too many things these days but we have to go on and this is how cricket goes on.” Protaese captain Graeme Smith said, “It’s amazing to carry three trophies home. We won T20, ODI and we would like to win Test series too.”