Summary Pakistan have never won a series here and it is tough for batsmen to adjust to pace and bounce.
CAPE TOWN (Online) - Pakistan were taken apart in the first Test by South Africa in merciless fashion despite starting the match with an excellent bowling effort.
However, their batsmen were blown away for 49 in the first innings and from there on, there was always going to be only one result for the visitors.
For former Pakistan captain and coach Waqar Younis, it was more or less an expected outcome in the first match of a series against a top-class side like South Africa.
“South Africa is always a tough place to tour. Pakistan have never won a Test series there and it is very tough for young batsmen, who are brought up on the slow subcontinent wickets, to adjust to the pace and bounce,” Waqar told Sport360º.
“In a three-match series, it is always tough to come back after losing the first Test. It (the defeat) was always on the cards. Hopefully, by the second Test (in Cape Town from Thursday) Pakistan would have adjusted and I hope they do well.”
Batting has been the Achilles heel for Pakistan, but their bowling has always shone through. In the first Test in Johannesburg, they bowled out a strong Proteas line-up for 253 to maintain their tradition of doing well with the ball.
“Pakistan always had quality pacers. Junaid (Khan) no doubt has done very well and is emerging as a great prospect," said Waqar, who coached young local pacers during a two-day camp in Sharjah last weekend.
"Unfortunately, Pakistan lost Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir who, I thought, would have easily performed for 10 years. So we lost out on that. Even so, there were always some quicks on the sidelines; guys like Wahab Riaz.”
On the larger issue of Pakistan cricket and more specifically home matches, Waqar felt the lack of international cricket in Pakistan is hurting the game in the country.
“It’s almost five years since we have had international cricket in Pakistan. It is disheartening not only for the young cricketers but also the general public. They are not getting to watch top-class cricket. If the situation continues, I feel cricket will struggle to sustain itself in Pakistan.
“However, the team has done well so far, given the circumstances, to maintain itself by [giving] good results,” the legend, who picked 373 wickets from 87 Tests, said.
Assessing the fast bowlers in the world, Waqar was reasonably happy with the current crop. “We have a few quality fast bowlers right now like Dale Steyn, a good bunch of Aussie fast bowlers and from Pakistan Junaid Khan. So we have a decent bunch.”
But the former coach admitted that there are many pacers who are giving up on bowling in the longer versions of the game or are incapable of sustaining their fitness levels for the rigours of Test cricket.
“It is true we are not seeing many fast bowlers lasting very long. They are having a lot more injuries. They are not used to bowling long spells.
"And a lot of it is down to T20 cricket. Youngsters, especially in the sub-continent, are more interested in bowling four overs of T20 [rather than the] long spells in Tests.”
“In the subcontinent, we are seeing that young fast bowlers are more interested in performing in those four overs (of T20s). Why to bowl long spells in Tests when you can do well bowling four overs? Money matters are quite big for them now.”
“I would put Dale Steyn right up there (among the all-time best). “He is energetic, puts in a lot of effort, is very fit, swings the ball… he is the complete fastbowling package.”
“For Pakistan, Junaid Khan has emerged as a very good bowler and he has done very well.”
