Match Details:
The 1st Test match of the Pakistan tour of New Zealand will be played at the Bay Oval Cricket Ground in Mount Maunganui.
The match is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM Local Time (03:30 AM IST, 26 Dec) (10:00 PM GMT).
Preview:
After the T20I series, New Zealand and Pakistan will lock horns in the two-match Test series starting from Saturday. The Kiwis will be keen on starting the Boxing Day Test well having dominated the West Indies earlier in the summer. This is also a crucial series for them as far as the World Test Championship is concerned. Pakistan, on the other hand, will miss their skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will lead them in this Test.
NZ vs PAK Weather Report for 1st Test:
An odd passing shower is predicted on the second day of the game. But apart from that the weather is set to be fair for the rest of the days.
Pitch Report:
The pitch is expected to be a green top like it is in every Test match in New Zealand. The pace bowlers will enjoy their time in the middle at least in the first session. Batsmen will find it hard to score runs.
Average score in each inning:
Average 1st Inns scores: 353, Average 2nd Inns scores: 615, Average 3rd Inns scores: 197 (In the only Test match played here)
Injury and Availability News:
Shadab Khan will not be playing this match as he sustained a thigh injury.
NZ vs PAK Probable Playing XIs:
New Zealand:
Tom Latham, Tom Blundell/Will Young, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner.
Bench:
Mitchell Santner, Tom Blundell/Will Young
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Pakistan:
Abid Ali, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (C, WK), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Sohail, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas
Bench:
Imran Butt, Shadab Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sohail Khan, Zafar Gohar
NZ vs PAK Top Picks for Today’s 11Wickets Match:
Kane Williamson has scored 348 runs in 3 Tests in 2020 and is surely one of the top picks for this match. Tom Latham has scored 3839 runs in 54 Tests at an average of 42.66. Mohammad Rizwan has played nine Tests so far and scored 386 runs and will be leading from the front. Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner, all three bowlers will be handful in this Test.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options – Kane Williamson, Tom Latham
Vice-Captain Options – Mohammad Rizwan, Fawad Alam
Suggested Playing XI No.1 of NZ vs PAK for 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Mohammad Rizwan (VC)
Batters – Kane Williamson (C), Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham, Azhar Ali
All-Rounders – Faheem Ashraf
Bowlers – Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi
12th Man – Shan Masood
Suggested Playing XI No.2 of NZ vs PAK for 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – BJ Watling
Batters – Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Azhar Ali (C), Haris Sohail
All-Rounders – Fawad Alam (VC)
Bowlers – Neil Wagner, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi, Kyle Jamieson
12th Man – Shan Masood
Expert Advice:
Azhar Ali is a decent option to make captain of your Grand League team as he is the most experienced player and can score big when needed.
Today’s NZ vs WI Probable Winners:
New Zealand is expected to win this match.
