MANY cricket forecasters must be scratching their heads. While they look to puzzle out what went wrong with their calculations, Pakistan cricketers under a serene Misbah-ul-Haq rejoice over the magnificent triumph against top-ranked South Africa in Abu Dhabi.

A convincing seven-wicket victory against the high-flying Proteas was never on the cards, particularly after Pakistan’s ignominious crash in the Harare Test last month. However, shunning all dispiriting thoughts they rose to the big occasion, combining themselves into a fighting unit to topple Graeme Smith’s brigade.

A few striking aspects to note about the resounding win in Abu Dhabi. First, the victory corroborated the notion that world-class cricketing talent still exists in Pakistan which, if utilised appropriately, has the muscle to overpower world’s top guns. It’s an eye-opener for those doubting the country’s entire reserve of emerging players.

Second is the productive show displayed by the youngsters including debutant Shan Masood.

Given their recent failures, Pakistan had no choice but to test a few fresh faces besides relying on some recently-emerged players against a mighty South Africa. And the move did wonders. Openers Shan and Khurram Manzoor batted with precision, common sense and self-belief to establish a solid platform without standing in the awe of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.

Shan, 24, at times during his well-crafted 75, held no signs of a newcomer in the game’s pinnacle format while Khurram only upgraded his game with a solid maiden century.

Zulfiqar Babar, another debutant, posed many a problem for the South African batsmen — his delivery to hoodwink regal Hashim Amla in the second innings being a turning point of the match.

While gigantic Mohammad Irfan — playing his third Test — bowled intelligently with a big heart, Junaid Khan certainly raised his profile duping linchpin Jacques Kallis on both occasions besides dismissing a well-set A.B. de Villiers in the second innings.

Third, it was satisfying to see the Irfan-Junaid pace duo sharing eight wickets between them (four each) to hand their spin colleagues a happy hunting platform at a pretty much spin-friendly track at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. As Zulfiqar and veteran Saeed Ajmal claimed eleven scalps in all, Irfan and Junaid surprised a stars-laden batting line-up with their speed, swing and bounce, even on a pitch staying docile at times.

And fourth, it was really comforting to spot a marked change in the stance of our middle-order batsmen. As 39-year-old Misbah continued with his red-hot form cracking a long deserved century, the captain demonstrated a renewed and much-needed sense of liveliness in his batting — explicitly indicated by the lift in his scoring rate. And it was indeed heartening to see out-of-form Asad Shafiq regaining touch with an opportune half-century posted with confidence.

The well-earned Abu Dhabi achievement has conveyed a very strong message to the Pakistan selectors: investing in promising cricketers fetches exceptional results and the flair and temperament magnificently exhibited by Shan, Khurram and Zulfiqar has brought a positive result instantly. Imagine the huge impact of long-term investments in many players like these!

Therefore, the selection committee is earnestly advised to stick with giving bright-looking players proper run to showcase their talent. Otherwise the Abu Dhabi party may well prove a flash in the pan — a regular scenario in Pakistan cricket over the years.

South Africa, on the other hand, have had to deal with all sorts of trouble as Smith’s men in Abu Dhabi lost a Test after almost two years. Faltering batting line-up that contained seven specialist batsmen coupled with lifeless bowling let them down badly. While they now can’t claim the series, the Proteas — who will be missing Amla’s services in the final Test at the Dubai Sports City stadium — must pull their socks up to fight it out to prevent their high profile and top Test standing from further damage.

Interestingly, Pakistan’s overall Test record in the UAE since 2010 — after international cricket stopped on Pakistan soil due to precarious security situation — has been phenomenal. So far, they have won five matches out of nine, losing none while drawing four at the baking venues. Perhaps the green-shirts have found an ‘oasis’ in the desert emirate where they have fared far better in Tests than what they have achieved elsewhere.

However, team manager Moin Khan has rightly cautioned his players not to get carried away by the first Test victory reminding them that the job his only half done.

Stakes are certainly high for a professional outfit like South Africa who would definitely be looking for redemption. Therefore, complacency in any department could turn the Abu Dhabi ‘oasis’ into a ‘mirage’ in Dubai for Misbah and his troops.