After winning the Twenty20 series and sharing the ODI trophy, Pakistan are playing the first Test of their three-match series against New Zealand at Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan lost both Tests in the last Test series against Kiwis in New Zealand in 2016. It was New Zealand’s first Test series win against Pakistan since 1984-85 -- the debut series of former captain Wasim Akram.
The last Test series between the two countries in the UEA ended in a 1-1 draw in 2014-15. Pakistan won the first Test in Abu Dhabi by 248 runs. The Black Caps bounced back strongly and drew the second Test in Dubai before winning the third in Sharjah by an innings and 80 runs.
Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has confidence in his boys to overcome the challenges in the Test series. Pakistan have had a good record in Test cricket in recent times. In 2018, they beat Ireland on their home ground, drew a two-Test series in England, and won the Test series 1-0 against Australia in the UAE.
New Zealand currently are fourth in ICC Test ranking, but the Green-shirts, ranked seventh, are firm favourites following their impressive performance in T20 and ODI series.
Pakistan batting consists of Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam and Haris Sohail. The players have vast experience of playing in the UAE.
The selectors dropped opener Fakhar Zaman despite his 94 and 66 in his debut Test against Australia in Abu Dhabi last month. Young middle-order batsman Saad Ali is in the squad thanks to his 144 runs for Pakistan A against New Zealand A.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed is a more confident batsman in the longest version of the game. He batted with authority in the Test series against Australia. He was one of the leading scorers with 190 runs at an average of 63.33.
In the bowling department, leg-spinner Yasir Shah and Australia series hero Bilal Asif again could be the difference between the two teams.
Fast bowler Muhammad Abbas and Bilal received a massive recognition in red-ball cricket in the Test series against Australia. Both were the leading wicket-takers.
Abbas, 28, has taken 59 wickets in just 10 Tests, including 17 in the two Tests against Australia.
Young sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi can do wonders, as he took nine wickets in three One-day Internationals, averaging 11.33. Hasan Ali was not in good form in the ODI series. He took only two wickets in three matches with a high average of over 60.
Shaheen has emerged as one of the most exciting young fast bowlers in recent times and he proved his skills in the T20 and ODI series against New Zealand.
The Black Caps suffered a big blow when skipper Kane Williamson missed the last ODI due to injury. But he recovered in time ahead of the first Test and will provide a huge boost to the Kiwis. Moreover, the responsibilty will also fall on the shoulders of Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme and Todd Astle in the middle-order.
New Zealand have a strong pace attack with Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Matt Henry. Leg-spinner Ish Singh Sodhi and slow left-arm orthodox Ajaz Patel could be useful in the UAE conditions.
Out of the 55 Tests played so far between the two countries, Pakistan have won 24. New Zealand have been successful only on 10 occasions.
Before the ongoing series, Twenty one Test series had been played between the two countries. Pakistan won 13, the Black Caps remained victorious in two, while six were drawn.
Pakistan’s highest innings score against New Zealand is 643, at Lahore in 2002.
New Zealand made their highest score of 690 against Pakistan at Sharjah in 2014.
The victory by an innings and 324 runs in Lahore against New Zealand in 2002 is still the biggest Test win for Pakistan. New Zealand’s largest victory, by an innings and 185 runs, came at Hamilton in 2001.
Javed Miandad is the most successful Pakistan batsman against New Zealand with 1,919 runs in 18 Test appearances with an average of 79.95, including seven centuries, his highest score being 271. Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan all average over 50 against the Kiwis.
Only three batsmen have scored more than 1,000 Test runs in bilateral contests. Miandad leads the way with 1,919 runs. He is followed by Asif Iqbal (1,113) and Inzamam (1,059).
For New Zealand, former captain Martin Crowe was the highest run-getter against Pakistan with 973 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 57.23 with two hundreds.
Waqar Younis has been the highest wicket-taker with 70 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 19.60. Wasim Akram took 60 wickets in only nine Tests at an average of 17.01. For New Zealand, Sir Richard Hadlee was the most successful bowler against Pakistan with 51 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 28.39. It is the best time for the Green-shirts to beat New Zealand and improve their Test ranking.