New Zealand vs Pakistan | 1st Test
After a climatic finish to the ODI series which saw the 3 match series-levelling at 1-1, the two teams will now square off in the longest format of the game with the first Test match starting from Friday, 16th November.
When: Friday, 16 November, 10:00 am local time, 11:30 IST
Where: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The last time around the New Zealanders made their desert safari was way back in 2009 where the visitors relished their opportunities and went on to draw level in the 3 match Test series by winning the final Test.
The first match in Abu Dhabi went to Pakistan by 248 runs, second game in Dubai was drawn while the final Test in Sharjah went to the Kiwis by 80 runs.
The surface is likely to assist the slow bowlers and the temperature would be soaring as excess heat is expected close to 35 degrees.
The last series between the two teams was hosted by the Kiwis and the home side won convincingly by 2-0, here are the brief scores of the 2 Tests;
1st Test, Christchurch
Pakistan 133/10 and 171/10 lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets.
2nd Test, Seddon Park, Hamilton
Pakistan 216/10, 230/10 lost to New Zealand 271/10 and 313/5dec
Pakistan
Versus | Result | Venue |
Ireland | Pak won by 5 wickets | Dublin |
England | Pak won by 9 wickets | Lord’s |
England | Pak lost by an inn and 55 runs | Leeds |
Australia | Draw | Dubai |
Australia | Pak won by 373 runs | Abu Dhabi |
New Zealand
Versus | Result | Venue |
South Africa | Draw | Hamilton |
Windies | New Zealand won by an inn and 67 runs | Wellington |
Windies | New Zealand won by 240 runs | Hamilton |
England | New Zealand won by an inn and 49 runs | Auckland |
England | Draw | Christchurch |
William Somerville has been picked after Todd Astle headed home due to injury.
New Zealand-
Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, BJ Watling (wk), Neil Wagner, Colin de Grandhomme, William Somerville, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor.
Pakistan-
Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Babar Azam, Bilal Asif, Yasir Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Saad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Hafeez.
The bets given by various betting websites suggests New Zealand are the favourites to win this affair./ dec.