Inzamam revealed in his Bigstarcricket diary on Friday that he struck a deal with the Pakistan Cricket Board to play in Lahore and then walk away from international cricket. It will no doubt be an emotional affair and may impact on Shoaib Malik’s leadership.

“It certainly can be (a distraction) I guess,” Smith told reporters when asked if Pakistan captain Malik could be distracted by having Inzamam in the team. “They have a young captain and how he is going to manage that is going to be key for him.

“It can put a lot of pressure on him. Inzamam carries a huge aura around him in this set-up, which I have noticed playing against Pakistan in the last two years. It will be key how he handles it.”

Whatever negative there might be about the occasion, with the expected return of Mohammed Yousuf also, there is no doubt the experience in the team could also be a huge strength, which Smith is well aware of.

“Their records are world-class, but how they fit back into the set-up is a question mark, how much cricket they have played is another question and what is happening to the pitch in Lahore is going to be another issue,” Smith said.

“But it's for them to worry. We need to go from strength to strength and we have given ourselves a wonderful opportunity to win a series in the subcontinent.”

South Africa won the first Test by 160 runs.