ABU DHABI: South African captain Graeme Smith said he would like to end the tour with a clean sweep in all three formats of the game as they take on Pakistan in the second Test starting here from Saturday.
South Africa beat Pakistan in both the Twenty20 matches and took the five-match one-day series 3-2 on the tour shifted to United Arab Emirates because of security fears in Pakistan.
Pakistan escaped with a draw in the first Test in Dubai on Tuesday after Younis Khan notched a fighting unbeaten century and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq scored 76 not out after South Africa set them a challenging 451-run target. Smith said his team would love to win the second Test — the first-ever in Abu Dhabi Stadium, which like Dubai has become Pakistan’s neutral venue. “For us it has been a successful tour in terms of the end results and we would love to add Test series to that before playing India,” said Smith. Smith conceded the pitch laid for the second Test looks like the same as in Dubai.
“It’s difficult to say how the pitch will behave, but it looks similar to Dubai, maybe a few more cracks in the heat might open up a bit and help bowlers,” said Smith of the pitch which has tinge of grass. Smith accepted dropping three crucial catches, two off Younis, on the final day of the first Test was a concern.
“I think when you do it, it’s always such a shock, especially when we have been so consistent in that area of the game and that is one of the reasons why we have been successful in Test cricket.”
Asked about the team composition, Smith replied “a team which you think can utilise the conditions and win the game for us,” hinting at an unchanged squad. Pakistan are likely to drop batsman Umar Akmal, penalised for his rash shot at Dubai, and give Test debut to Asad Shafiq. Also expected to make his belated debut is paceman Tanveer Ahmed, in place of injured Wahab Riaz.
