With Pakistan, nothing is ever simple. Before the nature of their curiosities became so sinister this was something in which the neutral could find amusement, but this week's episode involving Zulqarnain Haider has once again revealed the problems facing the game at large.
It is hardly the backdrop against which to begin a Test series on neutral ground, but the international cricket schedule demands that the show must go on no matter the circumstances. It's difficult to merely turn one's attention to on-field matters with Pakistan, because invariably they are affected by the off-field sagas.
They start this series under the captaincy of Misbah-ul-Haq - the fourth man to lead them in Tests this year after Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi and the banned Salman Butt. To make matters worse, it is public knowledge that Misbah would not have been appointed had Younis Khan settled his differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board a week or two earlier than he eventually did.
Crippled by the loss of their best two bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif as well as opening batsman Butt due to their bans, the match-fixing cloud has now also robbed Pakistan of wicketkeeper Haider. As a result, they are likely to have just six players from the team who last donned Test whites when the fourth Test against England at Lord's ended in acrimony.
Younis' availability should add steel to the middle order, but it will be an inexperienced side who step out for the first ever Test at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Whereas the Proteas are likely to have 630 Tests between them, Pakistan will have just 290 if they line up as anticipated (see teams below).
South Africa are a settled unit now, and have their best possible Test team for the encounter. That means that JP Duminy probably won't be required, with Ashwell Prince coming in at his favoured number six spot. Having shown good bowling form of late, Johan Botha is likely to be preferred to a third specialist seamer and should play alongside Paul Harris.
On paper South Africa are streets ahead, but they'll need their two spinners to neutralise any advantage that Pakistan should enjoy from conditions.
Key Men
Pakistan: Back in the Test side for the first time since July last year, Younis Khan will be under pressure to prop up a batting line-up which struggled constantly in England.
South Africa: If the wicket turns out to be flatter than promised, then the Proteas will need the extra pace of Dale Steyn to make a difference.
Last Five Head-To-Head Results
2007: Second Test: Match drawn at Lahore
2007: First Test: South Africa won by 160 runs at Karachi
2007: Third Test: South Africa won by 5 wickets at Cape Town
2007: Second Test: Pakistan won by 5 wickets at Port Elizabeth
2007: First Test: South Africa won by seven wickets at Centurion
Prediction
It's difficult to know whether the pitch will be conducive to a result, but even if it is on the mildly flat side South Africa should have the quality to force the win.
Probable Teams
Pakistan: Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Adnan Akmal (wk), Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Wahab Riaz
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wk), Johan Botha, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel
Dates: 12-16 November
Morning session: 10:00 - 12:00 (06:00 - 08:00 GMT)
Afternoon session: 12:40 - 14:40 (08:40 - 10:40 GMT)
Evening session: 15:00 - 17:00 (11:00 - 13:00 GMT)
Umpires: Asoka De Silva and Daryl Harper
Match referee: Andy Pycroft
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