"He's obviously batted very well in the last two games and he's a key player for them," said Buchanan.
South Africa's pursuit of a series-levelling victory against Pakistan was marred on the third day of the second Test in Dubai when they were penalised five runs for ball tampering on Friday.
Meanwhile, Shane Warne said he was "shocked" by Mark Boucher's statement.
The West Indian batsman was fined for hurling the ball at South Africa captain Graeme Smith after being no-balled.
For sheer quirkiness, few sport events can beat the cricket festival on the frozen lake at the Swiss resort of St Moritz.
Do you agree with Graeme Smith's criticism about the wickets not being of international standard?
The Kiwis left out Scott Styris and Shane Bond, who was ruled out on Sunday itself because of stiffness in the back.
The prospect of placid pitches and soaring temperatures present a formidable challenge to South Africa's hopes of verifying their status as the world's top team when their Test series against Pakistan begins in the United Arab Emirates on Monday.
New Zealand have a good record in premier one-day tournaments and won the 2000 edition of the competition.
South Africa scored a facile 76-run victory over Saurashtra in a warm-up clash in Mumbai.
South Africa are considering playing uncapped spinner Johan Botha in the final Test against Australia in a last-ditch gamble to salvage a drawn series.
Graeme Smith smashed 85 to guide South Africa to a seven-wicket win over West Indies on the fourth day of the second Test in Cape Town on Saturday.
Marlon Samuels was out for 94 as West Indies finished on 281-4 against South Africa in the first Test.
South Africa collapsed to 164 all out to lose their opening tour match against Western Australia by an innings and 48 runs.
The South African captain will tour Australia although his injured finger will need protection.
India included two spinners, left-arm Murali Kartik and Harbhajan Singh, along with three seamers.
They have been badly handicapped by injuries to their captain Graeme Smith and all rounder Jacques Kallis.
Astle and Patel shared six wickets to set up a comfortable five-wicket victory against South Africa on Friday.
The South African cricketers visited to the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity a day before the Test in Kolkata.
The cut crystal trophy will be presented to the winner of the India-South Africa two-Test series.
Disgraced Australian cricketer Steve Smith will be much stronger mentally when he returns to international cricket after serving a one-year ban for his involvement in ball tampering, former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said.
Graeme Smith and Andrew Hall, and Yousuf Youhana were charged following incidents in the Lahore ODI. \n\n
Their second defeat in three days saw them losing by four wickets in a one-day match at Taunton.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith was disappointed but not downcast after the Proteas lost the third Test against England by 70 runs at Trent Bridge.
South Africa beat Australia by six wickets in the first one-day international.
Captain Graeme Smith scored 89 not out to help South Africa beat Australia by two runs in their Twenty20 match.
The body language and intensity were not up to the mark, said a disappointed India skipper Virat Kohli, counting the many errors his team committed in the massive 227-run loss to a "more professional and consistent" England in the opening Test in Chennai.
The Australian paceman took four wickets to lead his team to an 80-run win over South Africa
Captain Graeme Smith says his team will be giving 100 per cent at all times on the upcoming tour.
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