South African skipper Graeme said Pakistan's controversial
fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was a match winner but also had been a disruptive
influence on the team.
"Certainly he is a player who has won Test matches for them as a bowler,
but certainly we have seen he has been a disruptive influence for them,"
Smith said replying to a query about how Shoaib's absence was influencing their
ongoing Test series against Pakistan.
Smith, however, made it clear "my focus is on what we
have to do best to win matches." Shoaib is currently facing a disciplinary
hearing after being sent back home from South Africa last month before the twenty20
World Cup after having a brawl with teammate, Mohammad Asif.
The South African captain also felt his team had matured and improved its mindset
and entire game plan for playing in the subcontinent.
"Winning the first Test in Karachi was a fantastic morale
booster and winning in the subcontinent is always special," he said.
"We know how hard it is to win a Test in Pakistan. But
a more positive mindset gives us a very good chance in this second Test of winning
our first series in the sub-continent against major opposition since 2000,"
he added.
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