The one thing that Pakistan learned from the Australia tour 3 years ago (which was Woolmer’s first tour with us, I believe), was the need to attack constantly, against hostile bowling. The Aussies barraged us with short deliveries, and challenged the batsmen to go at them. The Pakistani players ducked, squirmed, and felt out of place on those bouncy surfaces. McGrath’s bowling average that summer must have gone down by a run. Only in the final test, did the Paksitani players, start lashing out, playing outside off, and smacking the ones outside off over the slip cordon. Though we still lost the match, they did figure out how to deal with short pitched stuff. Hook and Pull, with discretion, till the bowler gives up.

WRT yesterday’s play, though the batsmen in question didn’t reach triple figures, they did share a 133 run partnership, and I count it as a success, especially after the morning session which had the openers jumping around. I don’t know if you watched that afternoon session, but Younis and Yasir stood up to Ntini’s and Pollock’s bouncers and pulled and hooked them with ease. Only a few went for boundaries, but it was an inspriring effort, and the message to the bowlers was clear. It was plain to see the Ntini didn’t have the same confidance as he had when he bowled against India.

That being said, you’re right, set batsmen should have reached the 3 figure mark, and those 3 dismisals to the short ball may come to haunt Pakistan later in the test, but as a fan of Pakistani cricket, I was impressed by our approach and by how Younis and Yasir dealt with the South Africans.

I think pakistani team is talented enough to overcome south africa even in south africa.we have the like’s of shoaib akhtar,muhammad asif,inzamam,muhammad yousaf,younis khan and of many others. So it will be dispointing if does not overcome south afria.
Well in 1st test pakistan isn’t in a comforable position, but still, they can fight their way back as the new ball is available after five overs and if they use it with good effects then they will be able to dimiss the souh african bating line up to the score around 330 or 350 .As result of this,pakistan will be right back in the match and a good display of bating when come out for the second time to bat will almost ensure their victory.As their will be plenty of turn and bite fore kaneria on the fourth and final day and also their will be chances for Rana Naved to revrse the ball when it gets older.Do not forget the role that asif can play when he will be having the new ball.So all in all,Pakistan have also the chances to win the 1st test.