Pollock on Pakistan standby

Shaun Pollock © Getty Images

Shaun Pollock may yet play for South Africa in the first Test against Pakistan with Morne Morkel facing a late fitness test.

Pollock was initially dropped for the game in Karachi - the first time the experienced seam bowler, who has taken 416 wickets in 107 Tests, has been left out for a reason other than injury.

He may earn a reprieve, however, with paceman Morkel injuring himself in the warm-up game against a Patron’s XI.

If 22-year-old Morkel does miss out, it would be a blow to coach Mickey Arthur, who is looking to overhaul the squad after the Proteas slipped to fifth in the world Test rankings.

“It's a sort of a rebuilding process and we need to see that our younger players are good enough, and for that we are working on a squad that can take South Africa to greater heights," he said.

“It is a new era in the sense that we are blessed with a lot of depth in our fast bowling and it's time we look at the younger guys.

“We need to have a settled squad in a tough year ahead of us.”

South Africa are touring Pakistan for two Tests and five one-day internationals and are due to visit India, England and Australia in the next year.

Graeme Smith has a tough schedule © Getty Images

Captain Graeme Smith is aware of the challenge which awaits his side in Pakistan as they bid to bounce back from failing to reach the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 on home soil.

He said: “Touring Pakistan provides the players with a big challenge because of the conditions in the sub-continent. The difficult part right now is to switch the mindset to Test cricket after a lot of one-day and Twenty20 stuff.

“But we are ready for the challenge with a squad that has a nice blend of youth and experience. Seven of the guys also toured here four years ago.

“There are some fine young players for whom this will be a learning experience.”

Pakistan have a useful attack with spinner Danish Kaneria likely to be the dangerman on a turning track at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Smith added: “I think Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul are all threats.

“All of them are very fine bowlers. Danish bowled well in South Africa at the start of the year and in more helpful conditions here, facing him offers a great challenge for us.

“Asif and Umar have been outstanding performers. They have really come of age as pace bowlers.”

Misbah-ul-Haq has been recalled to the Pakistan squad after impressing in the ICC World Twenty20 but there was no place for Shoaib Akhtar nor Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Shoaib has been left out as investigations continue into his altercation with Asif in South Africa while Inzamam is unavailable for undisclosed personal reasons.