Match Details
The second and final Test of the two-match series between New Zealand and Pakistan will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
This match will start at 3:30 AM IST (11 AM local time). It will be live on Fancode in India.
Preview
New Zealand and Pakistan will lock horns for one final time on this tour as the second and final Test match is set to commence on Sunday at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The Kane Williamson-led side is leading the series 1-0 after sealing the opening Test on a thrilling final day with 4.3 overs left. New Zealand though will miss their enforcer in Neil Wagner who bowled with fractured toes in the previous Test and is ruled out of this game.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have been dealt with a blow as their skipper is set to miss the second Test as well. Earlier in the day, he was cleared but not confirmed to play the Test. But it seems, the Pakistan skipper is yet to entirely recover from his thumb injury. They are unlikely to make any changes to the team from the first Test.
NZ vs PAK Weather Report for 2nd Test
There is a little bit chance of a rain on each of the five days but that shouldn’t hinder the progress of play. The temperature will be around 18-23 Degrees Celsius on all the days.
Pitch Report
There is a lot of grass at the Hagley Oval which the New Zealand pacers enjoy. It is a typical pitch with conditions getting easier to bat in the second innings. The Kiwis have a brilliant record here having won five out of seven matches with one ending in a draw. Once again, the team winning the toss is expected to bowl first.
Average first innings score:
280 (In 7 Tests played at the venue)
Injury and Availability News
Babar Azam has been ruled out of the second Test.
Neil Wagner will miss the second Test with fractured toes. Matt Henry has replaced him in the New Zealand squad.
NZ vs PAK Probable Playing XIs:
New Zealand
Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry.
Bench
Daryl Mitchell, Will Young
Pakistan
Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah.
Bench
Imran Butt, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sohail Khan, Zafar Gohar.
NZ vs PAK Top Picks for Today’s Dream11 Match:
Tim Southee loves bowling at the Hagley Oval having picked 36 wickets with two five-wicket hauls in 7 Test matches he played at an average of 19.86. He also mustered 162 runs at an average of 20.25 with a high score of 68.
Like his new-ball partner, even Trent Boult likes picking up wickets at this venue. He has accounted for 43 scalps in seven Tests at an average of 21.11.
Mohammad Rizwan led from the front for Pakistan in both the innings with the bat in the first Test. He scored a total of 131 runs combined and is also doing a fair job behind the wickets.
Faheem Ashraf was a surprise performer in the first Test scoring 110 runs and picking up a wicket.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options: Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Ross Taylor
Vice-Captain Options: Faheem Ashraf, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Rizwan
Suggested Playing XI No.1 of NZ vs PAK for Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – BJ Watling, Mohammad Rizwan
Batsmen – Kane Williamson (VC), Ross Taylor, Azhar Ali
All-Rounders – Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam
Bowlers – Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee (C), Shaheen Afridi
Suggested Playing XI No.2 of NZ vs PAK for Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – BJ Watling, Mohammad Rizwan
Batsmen – Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor
All-Rounders – Faheem Ashraf (VC)
Bowlers – Kyle Jamieson (C), Tim Southee, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Matt Henry
Expert Advice
Many will be surprised to see Kane Williamson hasn’t been made captain of any of the Dream11 Fantasy teams. He averages only 28 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch having mustered only 336 runs in seven Tests. You can also opt against picking him in Grand League teams.
NZ vs PAK Probable Winners
New Zealand are expected to win the match.
