PAK v SA 2021: ‘Pakistan is a dangerous side at home, need proper strategy to beat them’ – Mark Boucher

The Proteas side arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to play two Tests and three T20Is.

Mark Boucher | GettyHighlighting how dangerous the current Pakistan team is at home, South Africa head coach Mark Boucher on Saturday (January 16) said they have to come up with a proper game plan to get the better of Babar Azam-led side.

The Proteas side landed in Karachi on Saturday (January 16) for their first tour of Pakistan in nearly 14 years. South Africa will play two Tests and three T20Is in Pakistan.

Pakistan has hosted South Africa in seven Tests on home soil so far, winning one, losing two while the four games have ended in a draw.

"Pakistan is a dangerous side at home; we will have to come up with a proper strategy to beat them at their own backyard," said Boucher in a release issued by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"Pakistan bowlers will have home advantage, so this series will be a test for our batsmen, but once they are successful in occupying the crease, they will be able to score freely," he added.

Boucher expects the Proteas batsmen to do well in Pakistan but he feels the fast bowlers will have to toil hard to get wickets.

"The wickets here in Pakistan are batting friendly, and we are relying on our batsmen to score runs. Their confidence will be high after scoring runs against Sri Lanka," said Boucher.

"Our fast bowlers will have to work very hard to get wickets. We are excited to play in Pakistan again, and expect a great series ahead with all focus on the game," he further remarked.

The first Test will be played in Karachi from January 26 while Rawalpindi will host the second Test from February 4. Following the two Tests, Lahore will host three T20Is from February 11.

South African Test squad:

Quinton de Kock (captain), Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, Marco Jansen.

(With ANI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 17 Jan, 2021

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