ISLAMABAD - Masterful Proteas thrashed hapless Pakistan by 211 runs in the first Test played at the Wanderers, Johannesburg on the fourth day well before the lunch break. As was expected after the dismal show in the first innings, Pakistan found it really difficult to save the first Test. It was not the South African's extra-ordinary batting or bowling which inflicted such a crushing defeat on the visitors rather it was the poor team selection by the team management which was helped by the poor batting show by the batsmen in both the innings. It would have been more embarrassing defeat, if Graeme Smith had opted to impose follow on. Although some quarters may blame Smith for overcautious approach but it was no doubt a very wise decision made by the South African captain by not enforcing follow on, although one could argue that his bowler had only bowled 29.1 overs. Dale Steyn broke the back of Pakistan's resistance with career-best match figures grabbing 11 wickets for 60 in the Test. He in the past had hardly managed to take even four wickets in an innings against all the opponents, but it was the poor shot selection of Pakistani batsmen which gifted him 11 wickets in the Test. It was also a memorable Test for wicketkeeper AB de Villiers, who equaled the world record for catches by a wicketkeeper by holding on to 11 catches in the match. After watching Pakistan team performance against the No 1 Test team, it seemed that school going kids were playing against the fully grown men. Despite managing to bowl out mighty African batsmen for 253 runs in the first innings, Pakistani batting spoiled all the good work done by the bowlers.  As far as the team selection was concerned, many eyebrows were raised when instead of going with the fast bowling duo of Junaid and Irfan, the selectors somehow decided to take a huge gamble by including Rahat Ali, who just landed in South Africa and had not taken enough wickets even in the domestic cricket yet he gets the nod ahead of tall lanky M Irfan. It is true Irfan had not taken enough wickets against India in the recently-concluded bilateral ODI and Twenty20 series, but it was his extra-ordinary height which was causing lot of trouble to opponents and he had developed a lethal combination with strike partner Junaid. He was troubling the batsmen with his bowling and Junaid was reaping the benefit by taking wickets. The selectors made a hug blunder by dropping their secret weapon in the match and easing the pressure from the opponents. Saeed Ajmal's failure to take wickets is a big concern for Pakistan, as he managed to take only one wicket in the entire match, which is very surprising and unlike of him. This will be a big worry for the skipper as the team heavily relies on Ajmal to provide bulk of wickets. Sarfraz Ahmed never scored runs whenever given a chance rather Adnan Akmal was in rich form with both gloves and willow and he must be given preference over Sarfraz. The team management made another blunder by recalling Imran Farhat in place of injured Taufiq Umar. When there are already two openers available, there was no need of sending Farhat. The selectors should have put their money on in-form left-handed batsman Umar Amin, who had scored over 700 runs in the recently-concluded President's Trophy and also scored century against Bahawalpur in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He could have not only solved, if required, opening problems but also he is more than handy in the middle order too. And as a left-handed batsman, he has the edge as Pakistan desperately need a left hander in the middle order to disturb bowlers’ line and length. Misbah wasted both reversals available to him in the first innings, as replays show the batsmen were not out. He should be very clear while going for the referrals. The main concern for the team in green is the middle order batting. Azhar Ali is a big flop as his technique, while playing on seaming tracks, is very poor. He just goes through his shots without moving his feet. The backbone of Pakistan batting Younus Khan also failed miserably in both the innings. If Pakistan really wants to make a comeback into the Test series then Younus has to deliver with the bat otherwise it will be almost impossible for them to overturn the deficit. The situation can go from bad to worse in the next two Tests if the team management persists with their policies. They should be very clear in their approach and must take the Proteas very seriously. Azhar should be replaced with Haris Sohail who had scored loads of runs in the domestic cricket. If the selectors don't pick players on their domestic performances then there is no need of picking them as liabilities. Another guy who can be useful in the current circumstances is Faisal Iqbal, who had also played big knock in the domestic cricket. The selectors can't pick side on the past performances. Each and every player has to perform to earn the right to represent his country. The players are taking things for granted. The merit should prevail while selecting the playing XI, as it is the prestige of the country which is at stake. Coach and captain should sit together and instead of blame game, draw an aggressive strategy to counter the African bowlers. They are by no means invincible rather beatable, but through proper plan and hard work.  The current squad had the depth and ability to bounce back and they could overturn the deficit but to achieve this mission, the selectors has to make bold and wise decisions otherwise it is a lost cause and there is every possibility Pakistan may lose the series 3-0. Irfan should be called in the playing XI alongside Junaid, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal. Pakistan's comeback in the series revolves around these four bowlers, who will get much-needed assistance from one and only all-rounder in the team M Hafeez as he bowls well but he needs to improve his batting technique if he really wants to score big runs against South Africa or any other opponent.