Pakistan begin the first leg of the tour Down Under with a two-Test series that starts in Christchurch on November 17. Today Pakistan will take on New Zealand ‘A’ at Nelson in the only practice match before the series begins. The series against New Zealand, of course, has been dubbed as the prelude to the Australian series.
That Pakistan have a good record in New Zealand has played a part in the tour not being given the same billing as the three-match Test series against Australia. This is primarily because while Pakistan have largely dominated New Zealand over the past three decades, they haven’t won a Test match in Australia for two decades.
In fact Pakistan’s victory against Australia in England during that fatal summer of 2010 was their first Test win against the Kangaroos anywhere for a decade and a half. The 2014 whitewash of Australia in the UAE has further spiced up that particular contest.
Even so, it can be argued that once we put history to one side, New Zealand might actually pose the bigger threat to Pakistan maintaining their impressive unbeaten run in Test series.
Azhar Ali
Pakistan Test Squad for New Zealand tour:
Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Imran Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Rahat Ali, Sami Aslam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Sharjeel Khan, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan
The selection for the New Zealand tour highlights Pakistan’s strategy going into the series, which was already hinted at during the West Indies tour. Rotating the pacers in the Test matches against the West Indies suggests a three-pacer attack throughout the Test matches Down Under, with Mohammed Amir, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali likely to be rotated in the five Tests as well.
While Sohail and Rahat might be vying for the third slot in the pecking order, the latter has been the most consistent whenever given the opportunity. The question mark remains over whether Pakistan would go for seven specialist batsmen or opt for Mohammad Nawaz as the ‘all-round’ option to provide bowling cover to the four frontline bowlers. Nawaz hasn’t helped his case by failing to perform with the bat in all three Tests against an average West Indian attack on dead UAE wickets.
Misbah-ul-Haq
New Zealand might pose a bigger challenge than Australia despite Pakistan's history against the two teams
Yasir Shah has proved that he is good enough to lead the Pakistani attack in all conditions. It was no coincidence that both Pakistan’s victories in England came in matches where Yasir took wickets. It can be argued that the pacers significantly underperformed in England, and similar performances might not merit draws in New Zealand or Australia. But it’s still hard to see Yasir not being among the wickets and Pakistan winning any matches Down Under.
As far as the batting is concerned, the top order is going to be critical. Asad Shafiq had a mixed time at number 3 in the UAE and it would be even more challenging in New Zealand. Pakistan can’t afford Azhar Ali and Younis Khan to take their time in showing up like they did in England. Sarfraz Ahmed will be crucial at number 6 or 7, given the conditions. Also, the tail might need to do more than the Pakistani lower order has been doing with the bat for the past five years or so.
The series against New Zealand and Australia might be Misbah-ul-Haq’s swansong. Already Pakistan’s most decorated, and most capped, Test captain, Misbah would want to leave on a high both as the skipper and the batsman. His batting performances were pivotal in the successful tour of England and he and Younis might have to anchor the batting against New Zealand as well.
Pakistan would need to be quick off the blocks and can’t afford a collapse on the first day of the first Test. A two-Test series doesn’t afford you the luxury of time, and if Pakistan show the complacency they did against the West Indies in the final Test, they’ll be in trouble…
