South Africa chose to enter the match with three pacemen in Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel with left-armer Robin Peterson as their only regular spinner.
Pakistan gave Test debuts to Shan Masood and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar in a two-pacemen and two spinners bowling attack. Left-handed opener Masood celebrates his birthday with the first chance for Pakistan.
Babar makes his debut at the age of 34.
The second and final Test will be played in Dubai from October 23.
Teams:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn.
Pakistan: Khurram Manzoor, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Zulfiqar Babar, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Asad Shafiq, Shan Masood
Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Third Umpire: Ian Gould (ENG)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)