Misbah-ul-Haq's men have not played a Test at home since March 2009 - when militants attacked the visiting Sri Lankan team's bus, killing six policemen and two civilians and wounding six players.
Pakistan were declared nomads by the International Cricket Council and have played their past 33 Tests on foreign grounds, while the United Arab Emirates has served as a nominal home venue for them.
The trend is set to continue in SA next month, when Pakistan play the Proteas in three Tests, two T20 internationals and five one-day internationals.
"We only play five or six Tests a year, and normally teams are playing 15 or 16 Test matches a year," Misbah said. "This has a really big effect on the team.
"Pakistan is such a big cricketing nation, and the world really has to think about bringing cricket back there."
Misbah was prompted to speak on the issue by team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, who said: "Our people have a passion for cricket. Unfortunately, they are being deprived of international cricket because of security concerns.
"But there is a difference between perception and reality. Pakistan is as safe as any other country."
Of more immediate concern for the Pakistanis will be adjusting to conditions in which they have won just two of nine Tests.
Another downside is that only three of the players who were on their last tour to SA, in 2006-07, are still around.
Younis Khan scored two half-centuries and averaged 45.20, Mohammad Hafeez scraped together 99 runs in six innings, and Faisal Iqbal scored 10 runs in his only Test of that series.
"It can be difficult because of the general consistency of the slightly higher bounce and the pace might be more than normal," coach Dav Whatmore said.
"But if you get over that they're pretty good batting conditions as well, a bit like Australia. Our young guys who get through that will be in for good times.
"But it's a challenge and we would like to go into it with both eyes open."
Like the Proteas, Pakistan tend to depend on quality pace bowlers. Their attack for this series includes proven performers like Umar Gul and Junaid Khan as well as Mohammad Irfan - all seven feet, one inch (2.16m) of him.
Asked if the visitors would ask their quicks to match the firepower of an SA attack bristling with Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, Whatmore said: "I would like to see our skills do the talking. The aggression should be shown with skill."
The series starts at the Wanderers on February 1, with the second Test at Newlands from February 14 and the third at Centurion from February 22.
Courtesy: Sportlive
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