Proteas ready to unleash fit-again Keshav Maharaj on Rawalpindi's bunsen burner

Spin. And spin some more. 

That’s what Proteas captain Aiden Markram expects from the Rawalpindi surface for the second Test, which starts here on Monday.

“We’ve expected those types of conditions from day one,” Markram said on Sunday. 

“It's about us having done some homework post the first Test and coming up with new plans to hopefully counter that and give ourselves a chance of succeeding in these conditions.

“I suppose when you get to spinning conditions, the guessing game is always how long until it really starts to spin exaggeratedly.”

Fortunately for the Proteas, their most accomplished spinner Keshav Maharaj has returned to full fitness and will significantly boost the visitors’ chances of utilising the conditions in their favour. Maharaj missed the series opener in Lahore due to a back problem. 

“Obviously, it’s great to have him back in the camp,” Markram said on Sunday, ahead of Monday’s start of the second Test.

“He has passed all his fitness tests and travelled here safely and smoothly and been bowling well in the nets. So yeah, he's good to go and seems in a really good space.

“He brings lots of experience and a really good skill set as well. So we’re looking forward to this game starting tomorrow (Monday), which is an opportunity for us to level the series, but also to keep improving in these conditions and fixing some of the stuff that we feel needs fixing from the first game.”

But like Senuran Muthusamy showed last week when he claimed 11 wickets in the Test, the bowling unit cannot win the Test alone. The batters need to apply themselves whilst being positive to put together enough runs for the bowlers to have something to defend. 

This begins at the very top where the skipper Markram has to find a way to spend longer periods at the crease with his opening partner Ryan Rickelton, who enjoyed a solid first Test in Lahore.

Markram can fall back on fond memories of Rawalpindi after scoring a century here in northern Punjab the last time these sides met, although he knows the surfaces are unlikely to be similar.

“I've been feeling good. I've actually spent quite a bit of time in the nets trying to come up with ideas that suit my game to do well in these conditions,” he said. 

“I feel like I'm mentally in a really good space and very hungry to contribute towards the team and lead from the front.

“I'm excited at that opportunity. We know how this game works. It doesn't always work out. 

“I do think conditions will be different from the previous Test that we played here. I think it was 2021.

“So again, it's about assessing and then backing your plans that you have as a batsman. We'll see how it all turns out when we're out there in the middle and back an option, back a plan and take that to the grave with you. But as I always do, live and die with my heart on my sleeve and give it a good fight.”

The Proteas are also considering recalling allrounder Marco Jansen which could prompt a shake-up at the top of the order with Wiaan Mulder the most likely casualty. 

Squads for 2nd Test in Rawalpindi

Proteas: Aiden Markram (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne (wk)

Pakistan: Shan Masood (capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Start: 7am, TV: SuperSport