Inconsistent Pakistan face tough task

Zulqarnain Haider's departure from the squad is just another addition to the long list of issues that have plagued Pakistan for a while now. Misbah-ul-Haq, in his new role as captain, leads a talented, yet highly inexperienced side in the two Test series against an in-form South Africa, which features the first ever Tests to be played at Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan's recent Test form has been quite poor: they lost a controversial series 3-0 in Australia in January 2010, which included a close defeat in the second Test in Sydney. Top-class swing bowling by Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir helped them level the two-match series against Australia in England, but the following series against England was a disaster: they were bowled out three times below 100 and lost three of the four matches by huge margins. The sole consolation was a four-wicket win at The Oval, which was brought about by excellent bowling by Amir and Wahab Riaz.

South Africa have done much better in the last couple of years, which is also why they are ranked second in the ICC Test ratings, while Pakistan are sixth. South Africa created history in January 2009 by becoming the first team in over 15 years to win a Test series in Australia, but were defeated 2-1 by Australia in the home series that followed. They drew the two-match series in India 1-1, following up a comprehensive innings victory in Nagpur with a heavy defeat in Kolkata. Their last series was in March 2010, when they comfortably beat West Indies 2-0 away. The last series between the two teams was played in Pakistan in October 2007, when South Africa won 1-0.

Hashim Amla has been in outstanding form over the last two years aggregating over 1500 runs at an average of 58.12. Since November 2009, he has been even more prolific, scoring nearly 1000 runs at an average of 65. In the two-Test series in India, he made a double-century in Nagpur followed by twin hundreds in the Kolkata Test. Jacques Kallis, who had an ordinary 2008, has bounced back in 2010, averaging more than 60. While JP Duminy's Test form has fallen drastically since his fantastic start against Australia in December 2008, his recent ODI performances have been encouraging.

In the absence of Salman Butt, Imran Farhat will come under pressure to deliver at the top of the order. The line-up includes the experienced Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, which is a major boost, considering that Pakistan's fragile batting has capitulated so often in the last few matches. The talented Umar Akmal proved to be Pakistan's best batsman on the disastrous England tour and his positive approach will be vital in an otherwise thin lower middle order.

Dale Steyn has been the world's best fast bowler over the last two years averaging just over 24. He picked up eleven wickets at an average of just over 20 on the Indian tour. His superb spell of 7 for 51 set up South Africa's victory at Nagpur. Morne Morkel has done well on bouncy pitches in South Africa, but could struggle on slower surfaces in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Paul Harris did not have a great time in the two Tests in India, where he picked up five wickets at a very high average of almost 60, but he will provide the South African attack with the much needed variety on the spin-friendly pitches.

Pakistan's attack has been severely depleted in the absence of Asif and Amir, who were the best bowlers on the England tour. Wahab Riaz, who picked up a five-wicket haul in Pakistan's win at The Oval, will lead the pace attack along with Mohammad Sami, who last played in the Sydney Test in January 2010. Saeed Ajmal bowled quite well on the England tour, picking up 12 wickets in three Tests, and will lead the spin attack in the absence of Danish Kaneria.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai host their first ever Test matches after a thrilling one day series which South Africa won 3-2. The pace bowlers had a slightly better time than the spinners; they picked up 42 wickets in the five matches at an average of 36.33, while the spinners averaged more than 42 for their 23 wickets.

The conditions could be difficult for fast bowling, but South Africa will rely heavily on the strike power of Steyn, who has been their best matchwinner, picking up 149 wickets at an average of 15.85 in wins. He has been one of the quickest to the 200 wicket mark in Tests, achieving it in his 39th Test, while his strike rate of 39.2 is the best among bowlers who have picked up more than 200 wickets.

Going by Steyn's record against right- and left-handers, Pakistan would be well advised to open their batting with left-handers Farhat and Taufeeq Umar. That's because Steyn has been far more successful against right-hand batsmen, picking up 145 wickets at a stunning average of 18.07. Among right-handers, Ricky Ponting is one of the few right-handers who has done well against him, scoring 115 runs at nearly five runs per over and being dismissed only once. Against left-handers, Steyn has been less effective, picking up 66 wickets at an average of 31.53. Andrew Strauss has been the best left-hander against Steyn, scoring 161 runs and being dismissed only once.