Published: Nov 09, 2014, 10:54 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 09, 2014, 10:54 AM (IST)
Nov 9, 2014
Pakistan will look to keep their winning momentum which gave them a long-awaited series victory over Australia when they face New Zealand in the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Pakistan achieved a rare 2-0 win with emphatic 221-run and 356-run victories for their first series win over Australia in 20 years.
The hosts have retained the same 16-man squad for the first Test and will likely make no changes from the second Test against Australia which was played at the same Abu Dhabi venue. New Zealand hope leg-spinner Ish Sodhi can come good after taking five wickets in the drawn side game against Pakistan ‘A’. The Kiwis will also hope their experienced middle-order batsman Ross Taylor is fully fit after suffering a calf injury and having managed just 11 in the tour game in Sharjah.
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson admitted Pakistan will be tough in the familiar conditions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where they have been forced to play since terrorist attacks caused a suspension of international cricket in their country in 2009. “Pakistan are an incredibly tough team to play in conditions favourable to them. Our record against them is actually the worst against any of the Test playing nations, having won just two out of 19 series, both home and away.”
The remaining two Tests will be played in Dubai (November 17-21) and Sharjah (November 26-30). After the Tests, the teams will also play two Twenty20s and five One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Catch live blog of the match here
Catch Live Scorecard of Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st Test here
