The good news for the Proteas is that Dean Elgar has largely recovered from his wrist injury and is batting in the nets, and should be selected.

Maharaj injured his ribs during training on Tuesday and has undergone a scan.

Proteas coach, Mark Boucher, confirmed that Maharaj did train this morning, but they will make a call on his fitness tomorrow morning.

“He bowled close to 15 overs today (Wednesday) just to test himself. He felt fine and felt that the pain is bearable.

“We are not ready to make a call on him yet because you never know how his body might react overnight.

“If he wakes up in the morning he knows as well that he needs to give us an early call on how he feels.

“As a player, you are the only one who really knows if the pain will be bearable to bowl through.

“I am going to have to trust Kesh on this. If he wakes up in the morning and he is fine to play he will get the nod.”

Pakistan leads the series of two Test 1-0 following a seven-wicket in Karachi last week. A win or a draw in the second Test will earn the host nation their first Test series victory over the Proteas in 17 years.

Play in Rawalpindi is scheduled to start at 7:00 on Thursday tomorrow morning.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport