Be aggressive against South Africa in 2nd Test: former players

Karachi: Former Pakistan players are worried that the national team management could start the second test against South Africa starting in Dubai with a defensive mindset and be satisfied with just drawing the match.

"I would advise the Pakistan team to go into the match with a positive and aggressive mindset sometimes when you have a negative mindset you end up on the losing side," former captain, Rameez Raja said on Geo news channel. He said Pakistan had won the first test in Abu Dhabi because it played with a positive mindset to win the match. "We should have the same thinking for the second test as well," he added. Rameez also felt that Pakistan should not try to change its winning combination and also prepare a pitch in Dubai which is similar to the one the first test was played on in Abu Dhabi and result oriented. Former players have been concerned about how Pakistan will approach the second test against the world`s number one test side after comments made by head coach, Dav Whatmore that it didn`t matter whether Pakistan won the series one nil or two nil. The Australian also said people should also be prepared to accept a negative outcome in the second test as South Africa had the ability to bounce back strongly. Pakistan skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq however said that Pakistan would also try to win the second test as the players were in a very positive and confident state of mind. But reports from Dubai suggest that the Pakistani camp has preferred a slower and flat pitch for the second test. Former test batsman, Mohsin Khan said he would think that the South Africans were most vulnerable at this time after losing the first test and not having the services of their top batsman, Hashim Amla for the second test and doubts existing over the fitness of Dale Steyn. "I would prefer to go for the kill as we have a top bowling attack and our spinners are world class. I would like to see a pitch that turns more than it did in Abu Dhabi as this would increase our chances of winning the second test as well," Mohsin said. He said although he had worked with Misbah and knew him to be a very calculated and shrewd captain but hoped the other members of the team management would also advise him to remain positive and try to win the test. "South Africa can also win the test as this is cricket but we should enter the second test with a clear mind to try to win the match," he said. Former test batsman, Basit Ali said Pakistan should try to win two nil as such a result would greatly boost Pakistan`s test ratings and standing after their losses in South Africa and to Zimbabwe this year. Former chief selector and test spinner, Iqbal Qasim said he hoped that the team management was not just satisfied after winning the first test and be prepared to settle for a draw in Dubai. "If you start off thinking of a draw it means you could end up in trouble we must attack the south Africans with our pacers and spinners and keep them under pressure from the word go," he said.