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Signs Of A Dominator!

The series scoreline after the Capetown test doesn't tell us something that we didn't know about either South Africa as a team in home conditions or Pakistan as a tourist group in South Africa. The manner of wins for South Africa does tell us a thing about the team: the desire to authorize its stamp! Given the past demons and the pool of talent it has had, it is pleasant to find South Africa overcoming its inexplicable nerves and avoiding potential triggers in jittery situations with convincing frequency. 

England and South Africa have impressed as test units in the last 4-5 years and the common link that knits these two sides is the hunger to win test matches in all conditions; a quality that the Indian team was found wanting after achieving the pedestal in test rankings. Champion teams try to overhaul its opponents by generating a reverberating via its manner of victory; West Indies did that, Australia did that and it appears that South Africa seems to possess the arsenal to flaunt its superiority. 


There were two moments during the two tests which back the above thoughts. Pakistan came into the first test with lack of 'acclimatization' practice, but being asked to bowl first gave the visiting side the opportunity to exhibit its strength in favorable conditions; and they delivered. The big difference in playing home and away is the ease/effort in sustaining momentum over a few sessions. Pakistan realized that very soon by succumbing to quality pace and swing bowling and folding up for one of their lowest innings total. Penetrative bowling attacks make it easier, but the distinction between good and great teams is the ability to deliver the knock-out punch once the opponent is found vulnerable.

Second test: Smith sent Pakistan in to bat on a track historically aiding seam & swing. Pakistan crumbled, but were soon resurrected by resilient tons from Younis Khan & Asad Shafiq. The bowling followed suit, but couldn't have the home side on the mat. With the buck with Pakistan to set the target, nerves and relentless bowling got the better of them. The target of 182 was that 'in-between' kind of total especially with Ajmal having 6 wickets in the first innings. In the end it turned out to be one clinical chase with the batsmen unperturbed with either the state of the match or the condition of the track. A run-rate of 4.21 in the 4th innings of the game is a statement in some ways.

Pakistan hasn't won a series in South Africa thus far, so expecting Pakistan to overhaul an in-form number 1 ranked side at home was not more than a wishful thought. A few convincing 'home' wins shouldn't really mean much, especially in an era of home-dominance, but the manner in which they were achieved makes you make note of them. South Africa has displayed resistance in the sub-continent, proficiency in England and Australia and utter dominance at home in the last 4 seasons. India failed to sustain momentum at the pedestal, England despite maintaining consistency overall, managed to squeeze in a couple of real lows. South Africa seems to have the ideal recipe to both succeed and maintain its ascendance over a couple of seasons, atleast. 

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