Spinner Maharaj to return for SA in second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi

World Test champion South Africa will be heavily relying on their fit-again spinner Keshav Maharaj to level the two-Test series against Pakistan as yet another dry pitch is prepared for the second Test, starting on Monday.

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Pakistan notched an emphatic 93-run victory inside four days on a turning wicket in Lahore in the opening Test of the new World Test Championship cycle for both teams with left-arm spinner Noman Ali bagging a match-haul of Il wickets.

Maharaj missed out on the first Test because he was recovering from a groin injury back home, but his return will bolster South Africa’s inexperienced spin resources that lacked discipline at times in the first Test.

The formula of preparing turning pitches has helped Pakistan beat England 2-1 before drawing II against the West Indies earlier this year.

"Great to have him (Keshav) back in the camp, he brings lots of experience and really good skill sets as well,” South Africa captain Aiden Markram said on Sunday. “It’s an opportunity for us to (not only) level this series, but also to keep improving in these conditions and fixing some of the stuff that we feel needs fixing from the first game.”