KARACHI- Pakistan's chances for winning the series against South Africa hinges on the performance of batsmen, despite enjoying the services of formidable spin attack, former chief selector Iqbal Qasim said on Tuesday. 
"Batting had been our main worries in the past. Experienced batting duo of Younus Khan and Misbahul Haq needed the support fellow batsmen for achieving their winning objectives," the former Test left arm spinner said.
"A lot of talking is going on for spinning tracks.But that is batting which will be main cause of concern," legendary spinner commented. "We can only produce good results if batting and bowling back each other, with good fielding show," he said.
Qasim said performance of openers Khurram Manzoor, Ahmed Shahzad, Shan Masood with Azhar Ali and Umar Amin showed be consistent to back Younis and Misbah. If our batting clicked and spinners delivered against powerful Protease then, Pakistan got a fair chance to beat their opponents," he remarked.
"It is not an easy task. But a big challenge and a combined team effort to fight against batsmen like Smith, Amla, Kallis, de Villiers, Duminy, du Plessis and company," he stressed. "On the other hand, if we got Saeed, Zulfiqar and Rehan, South Africa have Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson to cause trouble in Pakistani batting ranks," he added.  Iqbal Qasim, who took 177 wickets in 51 Tests for Pakistan, said leg-spinner Imran Tahir could pose threat to Pakistani batsmen. "At the moment in domestic circuit, Pakistan don't have quality leg-spinner. So, Pakistani batsmen may face some test against Imran," he said.
He said handling the pressure will also be very important for Pakistani team as South Africa enjoy good record. Pakistani team must forget last year's whitewash at the hands of South Africa, he said. Past is history and Pakistan team must remained focussed throughout the two Test series which will explode into action at Sheikh Zayad Stadium in Abu Dhabi from October 14.