It was their single-mindedness of purpose that saved the day for them because by their own admission they did not perform consistently. However, when they apply themselves they are arguably among the best in world cricket, said Dr Bacher. The South African team's strength lies in its outstanding all rounders; McMillan, Pollock, Klusener, Kallis, Symcox, Richardson and Captain, Hansie Cronje.
``These all rounders are the envy of many cricketing nations and the team is rapidly reaching the all-round proportions of the team that I was fortunate enough to captain in 1970,'' said the UCBSA managing director. That team included cricketing legends, Trevor Goddard, Eddie Barlow, Tiger Lance, Mike Procter, Lee Irvine and wicket-keeper/ batsman Denis Lindsay,'' said Bacher.
The present South African squad also has some impressive youngsters coming through. Players such as Jacques Kallis, Adam Bacher, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Herschelle Gibbs and Paul Adams can look forward to contributing to the success of our international fixtures in the future.
The South African cricket board chief was amazed at the number of young international players coming through in Pakistan ``on a seemingly endless conveyor belt - without a single cricketing factory in sight.'' There are no discernible grassroots coaching structures or elite academies as is the case in South Africa and Australia. The answer, he said, may very well lie in the fact that cricket is deeply embedded in the fabric of the Pakistan nation where playing the game has become second nature - much like football in African countries.
``I believe that Pakistan will take cricket into a new era if formal developmental structures are introduced to harness the natural flair and love for the game that is so clearly evident among the youth of that country,'' the UCBSA chief said.
Another feature of the recent series was the emergence of Mushtaq Ahmed as a leg-spinner of superior quality, said Dr Bacher adding that when some critics had likened him (Mushtaq) to Shane Warne, he regarded that with some skepticism initially. However, the Test series, he admitted, had changed his opinion.
``My admiration for his skills are boundless,'' said Bacher while praising Mushtaq and added that another revelation for him was outstanding performance of Saqlain, an off spinner of class.
He nevertheless emphasised that Pakistan's two great role models remain in place - Akram and Younis. Wasim still ranks as one of the best all rounders the game has seen, while Waqar, he believed, will go down in history as one of the finest fast-bowlers of all time.
With regard to cricket administration in Pakistan he was all praise for Majid Khan whom he regarded ``as a man with vision and drive.'' Given the required support, I am confident that he will take Pakistan cricket into a new and exciting era, Bacher said.