Proteas ready to unleash Maharaj to turn the tide in Rawalpindi

SPIN. And spin some more.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

PROTEAS captain Aiden Markram and Pakistan's Babar Azam inspect the pitch ahead of the second Test in Rawalpindi.

(AFP)

That's what Proteas captain Aiden Markram expects from the Rawalpindi surface for the second Test, which starts here today.

"We've expected those types of conditions from day one," Markram said yesterday.

"It's about us having done some homework post the first Test and coming up with new plans to hopefully counter that and give ourselves a chance of succeeding in these conditions.

"I suppose when you get to spinning conditions, the guessing game is always how long until it really starts to spin exaggeratedly."

Fortunately for the Proteas, their most accomplished spinner Keshav Maharaj has returned to full fitness and will significantly boost the visitors' chances of utilising the conditions in their favour. Maharaj missed the series opener in Lahore due to a back problem.