Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood believes his team has a golden opportunity to defeat ICC Test champions South Africa and clinch the ongoing series.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second Test in Rawalpindi, Mahmood said the first Test in Lahore showcased “balanced cricket and strong team spirit,” adding that Pakistan’s players are motivated to finish the series on a high.
“This is a great chance for our young players to prove themselves. Winning against a world-class side like South Africa would be truly memorable,” he said.
The coach acknowledged that Pakistan had placed unnecessary pressure on themselves during batting phases in the previous match, but expressed confidence that the team had learned from those mistakes.
Mahmood noted that the Lahore pitch provided equal assistance to both batters and bowlers, and that the final playing XI for the next match would be decided after inspecting the pitch conditions in Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, South Africa captain Aiden Markram said his team was ready for the challenge of playing in Pakistan’s testing conditions.
“We know what to expect from bowlers like Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan — they will be key threats for us. But our preparations are strong,” he said.
Markram confirmed that Keshav Maharaj has fully recovered and will feature in the second Test, which begins tomorrow in Rawalpindi.
With Pakistan leading the series 1-0, the upcoming match offers the hosts a chance to seal a historic Test series win over the reigning world champions.
