New Zealand aim to gain crucial World Test Championship points

Overview:

New Zealand v Pakistan, 1st Test
Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Saturday, 26 December – Wednesday, 30 December, 11.00am local time, 10:00pm GMT

If New Zealand win both their Tests against Pakistan, they have a good chance of displacing India to capture the No.2 spot in the ICC World Test Championship standings. They have been in good form, winning each of their last four Tests, defeating India and West Indies. Against Pakistan, they have won four out of their last five Tests, giving them an edge.

Kane Williamson, who missed the second Test against West Indies for the birth of his child, will be back to lead in whites and complete a formidable looking batting line-up. They have an equally intimidating bowling attack with a mix of experience and youth. In fact, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson are among the top five wicket-takers in the format this year.

The only major name missing is that of Colin de Grandhomme, who was ruled out of the series with a stress-reaction to his right ankle. In his place Daryl Mitchell offers an able all-round replacement.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have a few issues to deal with. They will be without Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq for the first Test; both injured their thumbs during the training sessions. Added to that missing list is Shadab Khan, who captained them in the T20Is and injured his thigh during the last game. He has been replaced by left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar in the squad.

The last time they played in the format, they suffered a 0-1 loss against England in August this year. However, they put up some good performances in the series, especially in the batting department with the likes of Azhar Ali and Shan Masood finishing among the top five run-scorers.

Having denied New Zealand a clean sweep with a win in the third T20I in Napier, Pakistan will now be bolstered by the return of Test regulars like Yasir Shah, Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail.

Remember the last time:

New Zealand secured a 2-1 victory in the T20I series with wins in the first two matches. Their performance was clinical with comfortable victories. However, Pakistan bounced back in the last game with a four-wicket win, largely thanks to a brilliant knock from Mohammad Rizwan, proving that on a better day they are capable of taking on the hosts.

However, Tests are a different ball game and New Zealand have a better record of late against Pakistan. They have won each of their last two Tests series against Pakistan, the previous 2-1 victory coming in the UAE in 2018/19. The series was balanced 1-1 after two Tests before the Kiwis clinched the third Test with a comprehensive 123-run win.

What they said:

Henry Nicholls (New Zealand batsman): "I just try and play as I always play. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't. It was obviously nice to be a part of that Test series win. Different opponent, different ground... starting on Boxing Day is another challenge."