NZ vs PAK: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Pitch Report and more for 1st Test

While a consolation victory for Pakistan in the third and final T20I against hosts New Zealand has given them something to celebrate, a much tougher challenge awaits them as the two sides head into the whites. As for New Zealand, the switching of gears would be smoother, and the memory of a 2-0 victory over West Indies in the recently-concluded series would be fresh. The same, however, could not be stated for Pakistan, who last played the longest format in August in England where they lost 1-0 in a three-Test series.

Despite a trouble-riddled year, the Black Caps have won each of the 4 encounters they have played as they clean-swept India in the two-Test series before their successive innings-victory over West Indies. Bolstered by the presence of their skipper Kane Williamson – who missed the second Test on account of his paternity leave, their squad is nearly at its full strength as barring Colin de Grandhomme – ruled out due to stress-reaction to his right ankle – they are not missing out on any key player.

Pakistan, however, has been dealing with injuries one after another. In their skipper Babar Azam‘s absence – he broke his right thumb during practice and missed the T20I series in entirety – Mohammad Rizwan will be leading the side. The absentee problem for the touring party does not halt here as they do not have Imam-ul-Haq and Shadab Khan on their duties either due to different injuries.

While many of their Test-regulars in Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Yasir Shah, and Mohammad Abbas resume action at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, they will have to acclimatize themselves to the format as well as the testing conditions in this part of the world.

For the Kiwis, the series is also an opportunity to strengthen their position of making it to the final of the World Test Championships. As it stands, Australia top the WTC points table, given their superior win percentage, while India and New Zealand are on the second and third spot respectively.

Having completed series wins over West Indies and India, a whitewash victory over Pakistan, who last won a Test in New Zealand in 2011, could well be their ticket to Lord’s.

Pitch and conditions

The only time Bay Oval hosted a Test match was during England’s tour in 2019 when New Zealand won by an innings and 65 runs. The track, as is the case with all the venues in the country, has sufficient assistance for the pacers. Given New Zealand’s lethal pace battery, a green top should not be surprising to see.

Playing combinations for NZ vs PAK

New Zealand

Will Young and Devon Conway will pave way for skipper Williamson and Ross Taylor in the side, whereas New Zealand has roped in Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner into their squad due to the unavailability of Colin de Grandhomme and Ajaz Khan. BJ Watling, who missed the first Test against West Indies, has regained fitness and will be behind the wickets, whereas Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, and Tim Southee will form the pace attack.

Probable XI: Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (WK), Daryl Mitchell/Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee.

Pakistan

With many of their regulars missing, Pakistan has the challenge to strike a balance eleven. In Babar Azam’s absence, the duties at the top will rest with Abid Ali and Shan Masood, and they will be assisted by Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan in the middle-order. Pakistan has added Zafar Gohar to the squad as injured Shadab Khan’s replacement, however, Faheem Ashraf will be the preferred choice.

Probable XI: Abid Ali, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Sohail, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas.

Head to head NZ vs PAK

Played – 58 | NZ – 12 | PAK – 25 | Draw – 21

NZ vs PAK Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 3:30 AM (IST), 11:00 PM (Local)

Live Streaming– Fan code