The injury occurred soon after Pakistan had landed in Durban from Bloemfontein and went to the ground for a short workout. The ankle badly bruised while fielding may now keep him out of the Test and that will obviously be a big loss for Pakistan considering that Inzamam after his failure in the first Test had regained his confidence with a blistering century in the drawn game against Orange Free State.
Failure to pass the fitness test on the morning of the match would mean a likely Test cap for 23 year old right-hander Yousaf Youhana, a talented batsman who has impressed everyone with his attractive half century against Free State.The Pakistan captain Rashid Latif who missed the first Test because of injury to his neck may also have to sit out this Test. Opting not to have surgery to correct the displaced discs in his neck, Rashid had expected that the discomfort he had faced because of the problem may ease up with some rest. But it seems that pain still persists and the neck according to him remains stiff. It is unlikely that he will risk any further injury by playing in the Test. ``I shall be fit by the third Test. There is improvement but playing will be too risky,' says Rashid Latif. He surely must be a worried man especially because of injury to Inzamam and also because of lack of form of Saeed Anwar. He along with Aamir Sohail is yet to make an impact on this tour.
With the wicket likely to help the seamers and fast bowlers, Pakistan would desperately be in need of their frontline batting to be amongst runs.
Mohammad Akram who was injured in the mugging incident prior to the first Test is likely to be in the side to team up with Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Azhar Mahmood. With his inclusion one of the spinners will have to make way and that could be Saqlain Mushtaq. Very rarely two spinners have been used on this wicket in domestic games or in Tests.
South Africa has brought back Fannie de Villiers and he is likely to play which would mean that with Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener in the side, spinner Paul Adams or Pat Symcox will be omitted. South African batting, except for that record breaking stand for the ninth wicket between Mark Boucher and Symcox, had not been impressive in the first Test.
Hansie Cronje is back in the side after that impressive 155 against Pakistan in the side match. His presence will of course make South Africa even a much tougher opposition. Hylton Ackerman, a middle order batsman is likely to make his debut. The Western Province middle order batsman has already scored 1000 runs this season. ``We are very much looking forward to this Test. Pakistan is a tough team and we will have to bat well on this wicket to make a good score'', says Cronje.
A lot will depend on how well the frontline batting copes against Pakistan attack on a seaming wicket. Toss will be a vital factor. Batting first will be a tough proposition and if Pakistan win the toss, they will be well advised to insert the other side in.
Pakistan: Aamir Sohail,Saeed Anwar,Ijaz Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim, Inzamamul Haq, Yousaf Youhana, Azhar Mahmood, Moin Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq.
South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Adam Bacher, Jacques Kallis, Hylton Ackerman, Andrew Hudson, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Pat Symcox, Allan Donald, Fanie de Villiers, Paul Adams.