Ex-selectors backing Pak against SA in ‘home-like’ UAE conditions

KARACHI - The Pakistan cricket team would have an edge over their South African counterparts in the series opener due to favourable weather conditions, the pitch and the crowd, former Pakistani selectors have said.

“Pakistan would have an edge over South Africa as the team have some good players for the T20 format. They would certainly have a home-ground like advantage such as weather, low pitches and especially the crowd,” The News quoted former selector Salahuddin Sallu, as saying.

“I think the team should leave behind all the scandals that has haunted them. They should concentrate on the matches. They should know that that their good performance in Dubai and Abu Dhabi would serve as atonement,” he added.

He, however, acknowledged that the team would miss the tainted trio- Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt- as well as former skipper Shoaib Malik during the ‘home’ series.

“Certainly they were among the top players of the country and the captain would certainly will not be having the players, who his recent predecessors had. Shoaib Malik is also not there,” said Sallu.

Former Pakistani spin legend and an ex-selector, Abdul Qadir said that while both the teams seemed to be equally poised, the home-like conditions would favour Pakistan.

“It is difficult to foretell who ought to be a better side tomorrow. The South Africans have recently thrashed Zimbabwe. However, weather, pitch and the crowd would certainly be favouring Pakistan,” Qadir said. (ANI)