Coach Haroon Rashid said that national selection committee had not been able to finalise the Pakistan team for the match. The eleven would be named after having a final look at pitch a little before the start of the Test. He said that traditionally, tract had been a ``batsmen's paradise'' but it has been learnt that for the first time some grass was being left on that so that it could help the seamers.
``We will, in probability, play with five specialist bowlers, five batsmen and a wicketkeeper. Wasim Akram is fit and gaining rhythm. A world-class, experienced player like him will not take long to gain standards of match-fitness. Waqar Younis has sufficiently recovered from his foot-injury and was bowling flat out during net-practice. As an all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been a blessing in disguise as he is not only shaping well as a fast-medium bowler but also has been among the runs. Wasim Akram is also a genuine all-rounder and his presence will help Pakistan team take the risk of playing with only five specialist batsmen. Moin Khan, as a wicketkeeper and batsman, is also an all-rounder. If the pitch is helpful to seamers, we will prefer to play with three pacemen and two spinners. If grass was totally mowed from the pitch, then we can opt for three spinners and two pacemen. The selectors are to name 13 or 14 players for the third Test and are expected to make a few changes from the 13 players who were named for the second Test at Sheikhupura'', said the former Test batsman and coach Haroon Rashid in an exclusive interview with this reporter at the hotel where both the teams are staying.
A reliable source told 'Dawn' on Monday evening that the South African Allan Donald had sufficiently recovered from his thigh-muscle injury and would be playing in Faisalabad Test.
The biggest worry of the South African side was the Number three batsman's spot. Jacques Kallis has vacated the position due to injury.
In his place, Brian McMillan has been tried in all the matches the team has played in Pakistan. But he is sadly out of form. His highest score in an innings during the tour has been 34. The tour selection committee is considering to include Andrew Hudson and try him at the one-down spot in the batting order. The opener has already played as a number three batsman for South Africa in many matches.
It was also revealed that wicketkeeper/batsmanDave Richardson will play in the third Test, replacing young Mark Boucher. Another worry of the South African side has been an injury to finger of Daryll Cullinan. The batsman, who hit a fine knock in the match against Allied Bank (ABL) at Peshawar but had bruised his finger while diving to stop a ball in slips. Unfortunately, he bruised the same finger during Sheikhupura Test while doing the same act. But the medical report is that he would be all right and playing in the third Test. This reporter has seen him performing the role of a sheet-anchor for the South African side in many matches.
Both spinners Pat Symcox and Paul Adams will be included in the team for the third Test.
The possible South African XI for the Faisalabad Test in batting-order could be:
Gary Kirsten, Adam Bacher, Andrew Hudson(orBrian McMillan), Daryll Cullinan, Captain Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock, Lance Kluesener, Dave Richardson, Pat Symcox, Allan Donald, Paul Adams.