South Africa is all set to take on Green Shirts today in the first of the three Test matches series.
The Proteas are looking to climb on the ICC Test Team rankings with a victory over Pakistan in the series.
The scenario in the Test rankings is interestingly poised with top-ranked India currently playing in Australia, New Zealand engaged in a series against Sri Lanka and now the Proteas are going to face Pakistan on a Boxing Day opening to their three Tests against Pakistan.
All the three series will have an impact on the top five test ranking.
Currently placed third, South Africa have a chance to leapfrog England to second place but also face the danger of being overtaken by their rivals Pakistan and slipping to sixth place.
South Africa are two points behind England and a 2-0 win will take them to 108 points and above England on decimal points.
A 3-0 win will carry South Africa to 110 points, and to within one point of India, should India lose the remaining two matches to Australia.
Series scenarios:
South Africa win 3-0: South Africa 110 points, Pakistan 88 points
South Africa win 2-0: South Africa 108, Pakistan 89
South Africa win 2-1 or 1-0: South Africa 107, Pakistan 91
Series drawn: South Africa 105, Pakistan 94
Pakistan win 3-0: South Africa 99, Pakistan 100
Pakistan win 2-0: South Africa 101, Pakistan 99
Pakistan win 2-1 or 1-0: South Africa 102, Pakistan 97
INSHAH ALLAH Pakistan Jeetega (Chahye Wo Ek Match He Q Na Ho) :