Cricket - Preview: New Zealand vs Pakistan 1st Test Match (Part 1)
The much anticipated 1st Test match of the New Year between the struggling Kiwis and the recuperating Pakistan side is expected to start tomorrow on 7th January at 11.00 GMT. This Test series between the two sides begins right when
the two most hyped up Test series come to an end. England is about to seal a series victory against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 could still be anybody’s ball game with the last session still remaining.
South Africa needs 8 wickets to win the match while India requires in excess of 200 runs. However, unlike the two series that are just coming to an end, the series between New Zealand and Pakistan does not have the same hype about it compared to the other
two series.
The reason being that over the last year, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 and Pakistan lost a Test series against England in the summer. The defeat against England
was preceded by a draw against Australia and a complete whitewash in Pakistan’s tour down under.
However, despite the loss against England it was the spot fixing that took the media by storm. It is now expected that the current Test match will be overshadowed by the hearing of the tainted trio which is set to take place in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Qatar-c2986. Despite the hearing,
we must focus on the positives related to the Pakistan side. Misbah ul Haq has thrived under the opportunity of being the Test captain of the team, scoring three half centuries in the last four innings that he has played. He led his team to a respectable draw
in the Test series against South Africa and was assisted by a century scored by veteran batsman Younis Khan.
The conditions in New Zealand will most certainly be more challenging than the conditions of UAE. The pitch will be favouring the bowlers since it is conducive for swing and less palatable for the batsmen. This, therefore, presents Pakistan with a different
challenge, one that they should take head on with renewed passion and aggression. Pakistan team has all the potential to do well against sides and they have pulled off some dramatic and spectacular wins against quality oppositions in the past. However, those
wins have come due to some brilliant individual performances. Somehow, the team effort remains missing.
But, Pakistan has the momentum with them, considering they managed to draw the Test series against South Africa. New Zealand too are coming in from a favourable position as they performed quite well against India managing a draw in the first match. Brendon
McCullum has found his rhythm as the opener of the side and Kane Williamson along with Chris Martin give New Zealand ample hope especially in home conditions.
Players to watch out for...
Brendon McCullum’s promotion up the order in the warm-up match went on to do wonders for New Zealand as he smashed the Pakistan bowlers all around the ground for a well deserved double hundred. While Pakistan do not have the services of Mohammad Amir and
Mohammad Asif, they can most certainly benefit from Umar Gul who on his day can be a match winner for the side. They also have the option of Sohail Tanvir who has a very unorthodox bowling action and can trouble the New Zealand batsmen.
Continued in Part 2...
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