Pakistan’s likely playing XI for second South Africa Test

Pakistan are unlikely to make any changes for the second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi, starting on February 4.

The home side lead the two-match series one-nil, after winning the first Test in Karachi by seven wickets.

Middle-order batsman Fawad Alam scored century in the first innings, while left-arm spinner Nauman Ali took five for 35 on debut to brush aside the South African tail in their second innings as Pakistan registered a comfortable seven-wicket victory on day four of the first Test.

Pakistan are likely to retain the winning combination for the second Test as they look to end a 17-year wait for a series win against South Africa.

They stand to rise two places to fifth in the rankings with a series victory, while defeat would push South Africa down from fifth to sixth.

Victory would be poignant for Pakistan, who are hosting their biggest Test series since the deadly 2009 militant attack on Sri Lanka's team halted international tours.

Expected lineup:

Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Nauman Ali, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi.