On this day Pakistan lost to South Africa by 1 run. Defeat from nowhere. 2013.

On this day Pakistan won the 2011 Hong Kong Sixes.

On this day Imran Tahir bowled his way to a Test 5-fer at DSC during a comeback Test match and a must win Test match last year. It was on the opening day of the Test. Pakistan were shot out for 99 for a second successive time at the venue, having won the toss and elected to make first use of the surface.

Pakistan lost this Test comprehensively. However, South Africa's innings victory was overshadowed with ball tampering controversies during the evening of the third day.

South Africa as Hosts

Hosted 2003 World Cup
Hosted 2007 World T20
Hosted 2009 IPL
Hosted 2009 Champions Trophy
Hosted 2010 CLT20
Hosted 2012 CLT20

Semis

New Zealand have never won a World Cup or World T20 semi (Lost 7). South Africa have never won a World Cup or World T20 semi (Lost 4).

Post

Undefeated Champions. South Africa and Sri Lanka.

March 1st and March 8th
2 Saturday's
2 Finals involving Pakistan
2 Pakistan defeats
2 games where Pak batted first
2 games where Pak lost early wickets
2 one sided defeats

South Africa won the ICC U-19 World Cup with 6/6 wins
Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup with 5/5 wins
Both teams have a history of choking in finals

South Africa on their road to glory beat:
West Indies
Canada
Zimbabwe
Afghanistan (QF)
Australia (SF)
Pakistan (Final)

Sri Lanka on their road to glory beat:
Pakistan
India
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Pakistan (final)

All of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka have different captains for the World T20 than they did for the Asia Cup. 

Chandimal for Matthews
Hafeez for Misbah
Dhoni for Kohli 

South Africa in ICC Events

1998 ICC Knock Out Winners
2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup Winners

Hosts of the 2003 World Cup
Hosts of the 2007 World T20
Hosts of the 2009 Champions Trophy

Also, won 1998 Commonwealth games in cricket, though not an ICC event.

South Africa's Dominance vs Pakistan

Pakistan have never beaten South Africa in an ODI World Cup
Pakistan have never beaten South Africa in a Champions Trophy
Pakistan have never beaten South Africa in the Under 19 World Cup, losing the final on Saturday

South Africa have a 12-4 record against Pakistan in Tests
South Africa have only lost 1 ODI series against Pakistan, the last one which was the 3rd of the year

Pakistan's bogey team? Undoubtedly 

South Africa

Number 1 ranked Test Side
ICC Under 19 World Cup Winners
Hong Kong Sixes Winners
ICC Under 19 World Cup 3rd place in 2012
Champions Trophy semi finalists

South Africa Win Their Second ICC Event

Where they finished in 2014 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup after completion of knock out matches and play offs. 16 teams competed, here are the top 8 in order. There are play offs if a side has been eliminated before the final for the next best position. Noticeably Pakistan, doing better than the big 3. 

1) South Africa 
2) Pakistan 
3) England 
4) Australia 
5) India 
6) West Indies 
7) Afghanistan 
8) Sri Lanka

South Africa at ICC World Cup

1992 = Semi Finalists
1996 = Quarter Finalists
1999 = Semi Finalists
2003 = Hosts
2007 = Semi Finalists
2011 = Quarter Finalists

Predict the 4 teams that will Qualify for World Test Championship

Have to be in the top 4 by the end of 2016

I am going for:

England
Australia
South Africa
India

Why Pakistan won't make it:

1) Ageing KEY players: Misbah, Younis, Ajmal
2) Tours of England and Australia in 2016
3) Lack of prioritizing the test game from PCB

4th ODI Half Way Point

3rd ODI Half Way Point

South Africa ODI Status By Me on PCT in April

Can Pakistan Get Revenge in UAE vs South Africa? Author: Analyst Maaz; Views: 624; Date: 19-03-2013, 13:13;

Pakistan will host South Africa in the return series in October and November in the Emirates. It will be 2 test matches. Misbah ul Haq’s men drew a 2 match test series against South Africa the last time they hosted them on neutral territory in November 2010. Pakistan are rightly and understandably expected to do considerably better in the test series in more familiar conditions as they search for means of revenge. One will expect Pakistan to prepare dusty slow turning surfaces in order to aid home advantage. South Africa will enter the series with 6 test wins in a row and an undefeated series streak of 12. They have only been beaten in 3 out of 21 tests against Pakistan are unbeaten in their last 8 against them. This will be the next test series South Africa play whereas Pakistan are due to tour West Indies before this in a rare test matches only tour for them. Looking down at Pakistan’s Future Tours Programme one doesn’t expect them to lose any of the next 9 test series between now and their next tour of England in 2016 as all of the series are either in Asia or against lower ranked opponents; expecting several series wins along the way. Pakistan will then host Sri Lanka and Australia after Smith and his men head home. UAE has a big 2013/14 season lined up after no Pakistan home cricket in 2012/13 season.

Proportional Verdict In Advance

35%= 1-0 to Pakistan

30%= 0-0

25%= 1-0 to South Africa

5% = 2-0 to Pakistan

5% = 1-1

Player of the series in Advance – Abdur Rehman

South Africa Standing Tall at Number 1 Author: Analyst Maaz; Views: 479; Comments: ; Date: 24-02-2013, 08:48;

Reasons for the 3-0 whitewash:
1) SAs strength – number 1 in the world
2) Conditions – alien, most have never played here
3) Preparation – inadequate to give them a realistic chance
4) Scheduling – last played in July 
5) Injuries – Taufeeq and Junaid
6) Lack of coaching stability since beating England, both head coach and otherwise
7) Lack of prioritising the test game, PSL and revival of bilateral ties higher on agenda
8- Lack of potency in the seam bowling – distinct lack of quality
9) Selection – Ignoring Adnan was an obvious blunder and refusing to play Rehman 
10) Not being pro-active, especially after the 1st defeat such as continuing to open with an all at sea Mohammad Hafeez and not shuffling the batting order

Combined XI After 2 Tests Author: Analyst Maaz; Views: 1259; Date: 19-02-2013, 03:25;

Combined XI

Smith (C) - The man who has captained his country in 100 test matches. He was dismissed by Gul both times in the series opener outside the off stump to identical deliveries whereas in the 2nd test at Newlands he was out in identical fashion attempting a sweep shot against Saeed Ajmal to be given LBW. Smith has registered a half century in the 4 innings he has had and has been tidy in the slip cordon.

Azhar - 3 of the 4 openers have struggled and as a result I am pushing Azhar to open up. Azhar scored a determined and watchful half century in his previous innings where he batted for 193 deliveries. This is a testimony to his patience, gutsiness and concentration.

Amla - One of the leading run scorers in the series with a couple of half centuries at an impressive lick. He was confident in his method of playing back to Saeed Ajmal, even with the pace, length and sharp spin he gets; Saeed has trapped many batsmen in front when they have been playing back to a sharp turning off spinner which hurries on to the pad with the some appreciable turn. Nevertheless, despite being trapped stone dead in the first innings, Amla stuck to his game plan just like he has done to Swann and Lyon in the recent past.

Younis - His 111 was a masterlcass. I'm not sure how much we can read into him quoting his century in the first innings as his best as he can get carried away in the moment, however it surely must have given him immense pleasure and satisfaction to do it against such an attack in their own backyard as Younis registered his first century in South Africa.

Misbah - He has crossed the 40 mark on 2 occasions and even when he got the 12 in the dismal 49 all out, he was assured and determined in his game plan. Kepler has gone on to say he has looked the best technically out of the Pakistan batsmen on this tour as he has left patiently, covered the movement generally and played some neat looking strokes.

ABD (WK) - Magnificent wicket keeper batsmen who is leading in the run charts and been as efficient as they come behind the sticks. The Wisden Editor, Scyld Berry described him as the best test batsmen around nowadays. He is entertaining watching with such a wide range of selective strokes.

Shafiq - The most 50+ scores from the visiting batsmen so far. He would not have had to play a harder innings than the 111 in the first innings and has proven he could do anything as the quality of play does not get tougher than what he had to negotiate on the opening day of the Newlands test.

Robin Peterson - Man of the match in the 2nd test, a huge surprise to many. Fair play to Robin who gave the ball a tweak and played a frustrating morale boosting hand for the hosts when they could have conceeded a major first innings deficit and thereby had to chase more in the 4th innings against Ajmal and his own bowlers not being as pumped up in the 3rd innings, knowing it wouldn't take long for the test to drift away from them.

Philander - He has got control, accuracy, persistence, away movement, the odd one nipping back, plenty of nibble in the corridor of uncertainty. The 'VERN' has got 13 already in the series and is in the 2nd place behind Steyn for the most number of wickets. The modern day Glen, even more potent than that in some respects.

Steyn - 15 wickets in 2 tests. No brainer. The best fast bowler in the world at the moment who has mastered the art of combining swing control with pace and aggression. He is giving Hafeez, in particular, all kinds of trouble with the spanking new cherry.

Ajmal - After 25 tests, Ajmal has 133 wickets which is more than what Kumble, Warne and Murali had. Unfortunately for him, this is the 2nd occurence where he has taken 10 wickets in a test match only to end up on the losing cause. His celebration when trapping Faf with a typical Ajmal dismissal from a sharp turning quick-ish offie, showed how much it meant to him to do it here against the best in the business on their own patch. The argument of him becoming Pakistan's all time best spinner increases with every test he plays. Ajmal has 100 test wickets in the last 16 consecutive test matches he has played since Guyana 2011. He started it with a 10 wicket haul in Guyana and in his most recent outing he did too over in Cape Town.

By Abdullah @maza786 on Twitter

Commentators for Pakistan in South Africa Author: Analyst Maaz; Views: 1320; Date: 17-01-2013, 08:41;

Commentators for Pakistan in SA 2013

SA Home Tests

Super Sport Providers

HD Ackerman
Keppler Wessels
Mike Haysman
Shaun Pollock
Robin Jackman (unfortunately diagnosed with cancer at the moment so won’t be there)
Pommie Mbangwa
Guest commentator (Ramiz Raja unless last minute change)

South Africa have the Edge Author: Maaz; Views: 438; Date: 6-07-2012, 02:52;

Predictions

South Africa have the edge, but it’s a tough one to call. I am going to sit on the fence, calling it a drawn affair with typical British showers having their say along the way, but South Africa are the more likely to emerge as winners & I wouldn’t be surprised if they come out on top here.

Statistics

England have only won 2 of their last 8 tests against South Africa

England last beat South Africa in 2004-05 winter tour

Head to Head

Strauss V Smith = Smith
Cook V Alviro = Cook
Trott V Kallis = Kallis
KP V Amla = Amla
Bell V AB = AB
Bopara V Rudolph = Rudolph
Prior V Boucher = Prior
Swann V Tahir = Swann
Anderson V Steyn = Steyn
Broad V Morkel = Broad
Bresnan V Philander = Philander

Overall = 7-4 SA

Setting the Scene

World Number 1 vs. World Number 2 is about as good as it gets. 2 heavyweights of the 5 day game in the current era will be locking horns for 3 test matches over the next month or so. 2 evenly balanced, performing, settled sides will be battling it out in the middle in the liveliest of conditions. You can be sure that this series is one that neither side will want to lose & would be overwhelmed to win. The series should be an epic contest, consisting of over 70% of South African born players, many that have gone on be mainstays in the English line up. South Africa comes into this test series having won their last 2 series against Sri Lanka at home & New Zealand away, although they never really played to their full potential in either. England on the other hand have won 7 on the bounce at home, last beaten at home in 2008, incidentally that was against South Africa, the series which eventually led to Michael Vaughan’s resignation from captaincy. Last time they played in a test series was during the South African 2009/10 season which was drawn at 1-1 in 4 match series. South Africa have had the better of England in recent times, one of the few obstacles standing in their way from achieving world domination. This has been rightly hyped up as the biggest part of the English summer after a one sided series against the West Indies & a meaningless visit from the Australians. It is the biggest test series of the year.

Key Players

Imran Tahir made the trip to Lahore to meet with his mentor & childhood inspirations, Abdul Qadir in order discuss tactics ahead of the all important series. Tahir has played for several counties, Middlesex, Yorkshire, Hampshire, and Warwickshire as well as playing league cricket in the Staffordshire league. Tahir has played plenty in the English circuit over a number of seasons. Admittedly, test matches are a different ball game all together. However, for a team that historically are not the best of players against leg spinners Tahir will be expected to make an impact. If he can get his control & length going, there is no stopping him from taking wickets given all the variations in his armoury. The rarity of a wrist spinner in the world game nowadays should make him an added threat.

Kallis is a modern day icon in the game, arguably the greatest all rounder for decades. The accomplished all rounder has not had the most memorable of times in England & this on what will probably be his last tour is one he’ll certainly want to make his mark in as a modern day great. The champion performer is a technician at work with the willow, outstanding slipper & useful bowler, capable of banging it meaningfully & working over a batsman. The finest player South Africa has produced will want to make sure his class & experience comes to the fold in the mission to overcome the world Number 1s on their home patch.

Dale Steyn was part of the test series winning side in 2008. The finest bowler CSA have produced alongside bowling coach white lightening aka Allan Donald, can give nightmares to many. For me his wrist position & whole heartedness to the task are his biggest attributes. On his day he can be deadly with the potential to literally tear through a line up.

Philander. Is he the future Glen McGrath? His bowling is not particularly eye catching in terms of pace or extravagant movement, but he has control, performs the basics well & somehow someway just has this happy knack of taking wickets. Philander is taking wickets for fun at the moment & yet to face anyone who has got on top of him. How quickly will he get to 100?

Broad has been a revelation ever since he abandoned banging it in half way down & trying to be the so called ‘enforcer.’ The bowling all-rounder has been reaping the rewards since he has started to bowl a fuller length & using the short ball with the more intelligence in between. This time last year he was the hero of the 4-0 whitewash inflicted on the Indians.

Anderson is catching up with Botham & Willis as England’s leading test wicket taker with every game he plays. The decision to rest him as part of the rotation policy during the last test against the West Indies has brought about a mixed reception from the public & experts. There are few better sights in the modern game than seeing him swinging it around corners in his home conditions with the brand new cherry.

Cook struggled last time England played a serious attack at home or away for that matter, namely Pakistan. There will be a few detractors who label him as somewhat of a flat track bully, but that will all be rest to bed if he performs against the South Africans. The Essex opener has an appetite for big runs & if he can through the first hour against the new ball he will be backing himself to go on & make it count as he does so well.

Trott is up against the country of his birth. After being awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy he has faded a bit & been a bit modest by his own high standards, specifically in the whites. For both personal & cricketing reasons the high class number 3 will want to return to his best in this 3 match series.

Different Aspects? Who has the upper hand?

Openers – England (Alviro is a promising prospect, but lacks experience). England’s test match opening pair is set in stone with Cook & Strauss having a thorough understanding of each other’s game plans. Strauss would be relieved to have rediscovered some much needed form with the bat during the tests against the West Indies. Mark Butcher, the former England & Surrey batsmen, has gone as far as saying that this partnership is as good as any opening pair we have seen, right up there with the likes of Attapatu- Jayasuria, Greenidge- Haynes, and Langer-Hayden. We should not doubt the credentials of Smith in the opposition ranks who has been around the block for over a decade with fond career highlights coming in England for the left handed batting captain, averaging the best part of 50 at the pinnacle of the game is always a reflection of one’s ability & calibre.

Middle Order – South Africa

Number 6 – weak link of both sides so this one is even, but Rudolph is a seasoned professional who served well for the white rose county as a Kolpak signing. Rudolph knows the conditions & players he is up against well, giving him every chance to deliver. I have fond memories of Rudolph’s match saving innings at Perth against the Aussies at their peak which only makes me one wonder that he should have played more at the top level or did not quite fulfil his promise.

Wicket Keeper – England through Prior (Boucher lives on with reputation, but is approaching the end of his career)

Lower Order/Tail = England – can wag & frustrate

New Ball Bowlers = South Africa – Steyn can be deadly in his opening spell. Anderson is a mighty fine bowler, but Steyn is a legendary bowler in the making without the slightest bit of exaggeration. Philander is someone England would not have seen much of, reaching 50 scalps in the quickest time for a century. He has been down at Taunton playing in the first division of the county championship this summer. With Steyn’s skill & aggression, his control, seam movement & reliability complements the spearhead nicely. I feel they will cause greater problems for the England opening pair than the England seamers will for the South Africans. Plus, with 2 left handers opening up, the bowler’s line & rhythm should not be affected every time the strike is rotated as far as the South African new ball guns are concerned. 

Old Ball Bowlers = England – bowlers are more renowned for getting it to talk later on 

Spinner = England – Tahir is a quality act; a leg spinner is a unique option for the modern era, but yet to set the test arena on fire. Tahir is an experienced campaigner on English wickets though. Swann can be a defensive & attacking option for Strauss. No Dumminy for him to eat up this time though, but Smith & Rudolph should be his targets as well as cleaning up the tail with those off breaks. 

Preparation = England. South Africa last played tests in March. 

Coaching = South Africa 

Fielding = South Africa 

Other Issues

It should be a longer series ideally; a tussle of such deserves 5 test matches to determine the better side. My understanding is that the Olympics limit other sporting events taking place in the country at the same time. Attendances at Leeds during the only test match which has been fitted in around the Olympics therefore might be on the lower side. However, there was no reason why they couldn’t start this series a few weeks earlier instead of calling the Australians over for 5 ODIs. The Baggy Greens were just here in 2009, 2010 & will be coming back again this year as well as next during the Ashes year. Former England wicket keeper Alec Stewart rightly said on Sky Sports News on the day of the 3rd test selection against West Indies that England V Australia is a special battle, the more they play together the more the specialness of the battle is lost which no one wants to see.