Pakistan keen to end losing run

Abu Dhabi Coach Waqar Younus is hoping that Pakistan cricket will rise from what he terms a "serious, tough time" as they prepare to stop a dominant South Africa in today's second One Day International at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Three abysmal batting displays in four days has left the team management searching for answers, Younus said.

"I don't really know what exactly the reason is but definitely we are not getting runs on the board. So definitely some pressure is building and I would make sure that we will break it tomorrow and ...try to work it out," he said on Friday night after another eight-wicket drubbing at the hands of the Proteas.

"We were struggling with the middle order, lower middle order not getting runs. Which is probably the key, which is where we bank the most. They did not really click at all," said Younus, who was left alone to explain the team's third successive loss with skipper Shahid Afridi skipping the post-match press conference for a second time.

Support for Afridi

"Everybody is feeling the pressure. When you are losing you do feel the pressure. I think he [Shahid Afridi] is a human being and definitely feeling the pressure. He has played over 300 ODIs and he is the kind of the character who will bounce back and I'm sure he will," Younus said.

Afridi and Abdul Razzak, who has gone without a half century or two wickets in an innings in a one-day game for over four years now, need to regain form and make up for the absence of their suspended players.

South Africa on the other hand have been well served by their young brigade with Colin Ingram and Lonwabo Tsotsobe in prime form. Having quickly adapted to the conditions here and with three wins on the trot, the Proteas will be looking to build on their best international run for some time now.

"It's good to post a win and make it three in a row. It is our best run of victories at the international level in a long time. We want to definitely make it 2-0 on our way to Dubai," said Johan Botha, the vice-captain and the man who dismissed Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez, the two Pakistani half centurions in the first match.

Injury worries

"But we know how aggressive the Pakistan team is and they will come back strong on Sunday and we are aware of that," he added.

South Africa's only worry is the fitness of skipper Graeme Smith ( who was hit by a Shoaib Akhtar delivery on his left hand) and Jacques Kallis, who was carried off the field because of severe cramps after scoring 66.

The progress of both players is being monitored before any final decision is made on their availability, according to team doctor and manager Dr Mohammad Moosajee.