Zulqarnain Haider Gone Missing..

Pakistan's preparation for the final round of their epic contest against South Africa took a bizarre turn for the worse with news that wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has gone missing and did not arrive with the team at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Crisis and controversy seem hardwired into Pakistan cricket but even by their standards Zulqarnain's disappearance is bizarre. He had hit the winning runs in the fourth match to level the series but his no-show forced Pakistan to announce their XI for the final game early with three changes.

Umar Akmal, Shahzaib Hasan and surprisingly, Mohammad Yousuf have come into the side. Yousuf only arrived in Dubai on Sunday, after recovering from an abductor strain, and wasn't expected to take part in the ODIs at all but replaces Asad Shafiq. Akmal will take over Zulqarnain's role behind the stumps.

Amid the drama Graeme Smith won the toss and opted to make first use of a surface being employed for the third time in a row. They will be hoping the pitch tires and suits their spinners as the game goes on.

South Africa have changes of their own, but their reasons are far more mundane reason. Lonwabo Tsotsobe is still ruled out with back problems while the wayward Wayne Parnell steps aside for Charl Langeveldt. The big-hitting young batsman David Miller has been replaced by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson.

After edging home in a nervy run chase to level the series Pakistan have a chance pull off their first ODI series win since they beat West Indies two years ago and a first ever over South Africa. Given the curious and chaotic preparations the result would be nothing short of a miracle.