South Africa's top-ranked batsman Hashim Amla will miss the second cricket test against Pakistan in Dubai to stay at home for the birth of his second child while strike bowler Dale Steyn faces a late fitness test.
Amla played in last week's first test loss in Abu Dhabi but flew home at the weekend for the impending birth.
Team officials had hoped the baby would arrive over the weekend to allow Amla, who scored a century in the first innings, to rejoin his team mates in the United Arab Emirates for the second test, which starts today... however the baby hasn't been born yet.
Meanwhile Steyn faces a late test of his fitness after a hamstring scare in the nets on Monday.
South Africa are likely to replace Amla with left-hander Dean Elgar and have Rory Kleinveldt on standby should Steyn fail the test.
Pakistan lead the two-match series after a seven-wicket win last week.
