Frustrated by the lack of assistance in the wicket, their own poor fielding and especially the stubbornness of Younis Khan, South Africa left Dubai with something of a bitter taste in the mouth.

Graeme Smith and his Proteas side will be eager to banish any negativity lingering from that first Test as they go in search of a series victory in the second and deciding game in Abu Dhabi.

The Proteas are an extremely settled Test outfit at present and will again be favourites to pull off victory at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. They will, however, be concerned by their generosity in the field on the final day of the first Test, as well as the form of their two prize seamers Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn. Morkel is still too inconsistent to fulfill his vast potential, and Steyn is yet to find his best rhythm after an injury lay-off.

South Africa's strengths however - a rock-solid batting line-up in particular - far outweigh their minor worries and of more concern will be the growing character and fight which emerged in their opposition over the course of five days in Dubai. Based on Pakistan's performances this year, particularly their batting frailties, the Proteas would have been somewhat taken aback by the heart shown - first when Umar Gul ran through their middle order on day two, and then when Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq shared a record stand under pressure on day five.

Younis will be again be influential for Pakistan not only for the stability that he brings to the middle order, but also for his calm temperament, smiling demeanour and ability to get under the skin of the South Africans. Enjoying himself all the while in Dubai, the veteran did not back down an inch against a fierce onslaught from the Proteas seamers, even taking a blow to the back of the head from Morkel. He was felled by that particular delivery, but quickly picked himself up to run through unaffected for a leg bye.

Following his heroic hundred in Dubai, Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said of Younis: "He is a wonderful team man and his knock helped us draw this Test, also giving us the boost in confidence for the next Test."

Team man indeed, in the absence of the injured Wahab Riaz, Younis did his bit with the ball on day two, plugging an end with tidy medium pace while Umar Gul ran through the South African middle order. His experience and fighting example evidently has a positive effect on those around him. Azhar Ali was a particular beneficiary in Dubai, battling the pain of a battered hand as the pair shared a valuable stand of 82.

Riaz's injury means that Younis' gentle seamers are unlikely to be required in Abu Dhabi. It also means that Mohammad Sami is likely to earn a Test recall, having last played a Test match in Pakistan's disastrous loss to Australia in Sydney earlier this year. The selectors had overlooked Sami for more than two years before that once-off appearance and he now finds himself back at the top of the pecking order thanks largely to the absence of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

South Africa meanwhile are likely to persist with the team that dominated the majority of exchanges in the first Test in Dubai. The batting line-up is settled with JP Duminy waiting in the wings if required. The only question mark over the bowling make-up is whether to continue with two spinners or to give the in-form Lonwabo Tsotsobe a third Test outing.

The left-armer would provide valuable variation to the Proteas attack and enjoyed Abu Dhabi in the one-dayers against Pakistan, collecting his ODI best of 4 for 27. Giving him a run would however require going into the game with only one spinner. A straight selection shoot-out between Paul Harris and Johan Botha would be a revealing one, but it's unlikely to happen on a desert track typically expected to turn from day three onwards.

It is impossible to know how the surface at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium - like Dubai hosting its very first Test - will play over the course of five days. Apart from the predicted turn, there is also expected to be some un-subcontinental bounce available in the track. The opening game of the county season was hosted by Abu Dhabi earlier this year and the majority of wickets fell to spin. Pink balls and a night game however make any conclusions from that first-class encounter rather futile.

Key Men
Pakistan: The old adage that a Test match can only be won by taking 20 wickets rings true for Pakistan against a sturdy Proteas batting line-up on a track which is likely to favour the batsmen. Umar Gul inspired a Proteas collapse once in Dubai and has the potential to do it again on an Abu Dhabi track which provides extra bounce (time will tell) and may well yield reverse-swing with a desert-worn ball.

South Africa: Similarly the South Africans will be seeking a cutting edge from their bowling attack after failing to bowl out the opposition on day five in the first Test. That before-mentioned extra bounce at the Shaik-Zayed Stadium will assist Morne Morkel - the lanky paceman hinted at form with his five first-innings scalps in Dubai, but is still in desperate need of consistency.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results
2010: First Test: Match drawn in Dubai
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

Prediction

Once again it is difficult to predict how the surface will play and whether there will be enough in it for the bowlers to provide a result. If there is then it's hard to look past a rock-solid South African side, who have the patience and consistency over five days to cope with the inconsistent bouts of inspiration from Pakistan.

Probable Teams

Pakistan: Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal (wk), Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Sami

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: 20-24 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

Doug Saxby