Pakistan would be confident before going into the second Test against South Africa in Abu Dhabi that starts on Saturday, November 20. They drew the first Test very comfortably and if there had been more over left, they were the likely contenders for a win. An excellent century from Younis Khan and a very responsible knock from captain Misbah Ul Haq guided Pakistan towards safety on the final day of the first Test. 
South Africa would be very upset after the first Test. They had done extremely well to set up a target of 451 for Pakistan but a lifeless pitch in Dubai meant that neither their spinners nor their fast bowlers were going to get anything out of it. Apart from the period of play after the fall of Azhar Ali’s wicket, Pakistan were seldom under pressure throughout the day. 
Azhar Ali was fantastic in the second innings and would consider himself unlucky for not going on to a hundred after playing valiantly with an injured thumb. He has solidified this Pakistani batting line up and comes in at a very important position. He will be the man to watch in this game.
For South Africa, Hashim Amla will once again be the key batsman. He has been in formidable form this season and has amassed runs with an amazing consistency. The key bowler will be Morne Morkel. This Abu Dhabi track is also likely to be like the one at Dubai and the bowlers will need to vary their length to survive here. Morkel is very good at getting the ball up on the batsman and that will be a good weapon for Graeme Smith.
Pakistan are likely to hand the Karachi Blues fast bowler, Tanvir Ahmed his first cap. He will replace Wahab Riaz, who has been injured.
This will be the first Test match in this venue and South Africa will want to win this game and wrap up the series. They would also use this game to add the pressure on India, who are above them in the ICC Test rankings.