Watch the Pakistan v New Zealand 1st Test live from Hamilton on Neo Cricket in India. Also watch the Pakistan v New Zealand 1st Test highlights from Hamilton on the same channels after the game.
Pakistan had had an iffy year 2010 in terms of their performances in Test matches and won two and lost six of their games. What would have warmed their hearts was that under the new captain Misbah ul Haq, they managed to hold the far superior South African side to two successive draws.
New Zealand played only six games in 2010 and won one, lost three and drew two. What was particularly encouraging was the performance in India where the side managed to draw a couple of games with the really powerful Indian side before going down in the third. The Kiwis will know that while Pakistan did draw the two against South Africa, the tracks at Abu Dhabi and Dubai were difficult to bowl on and to say that the ones in New Zealand will be different would be stating the obvious.
Pakistan v New Zealand 1st Test Timings at Hamilton:
The Pakistan v New Zealand 1st Test will start from 11.00 am local time or 2200 hours GMT.
Venue:
The Seddon Park or the Westpac Park as it was earlier known will host the game. Pakistan have played two games here, and have won and lost one. However, it has been nine years since they played one at Hamilton. Batting is a tad difficult on the first day if the bowlers get it right but over time it does become easier for the teams. The last win for New Zealand here, over a team of note was against England when Kyle Mills and Chris Martin bowled England out for 110 chasing 300.
The Teams:
Pakistan may look to keep a similar combination to the one that played in their previous Test against South Africa. With Saeed Ajmal expected to miss the game, Pakistan will go in with Abdur Rehman as their specialist spinner and three quick bowlers – Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and one of Sohail Tanvir and Tanvir Ahmed to make it to the side. If one were to go by what happened in the tour game, Sohail could well get a chance after having last played a Test three years back.
The batting had struggled in the warm-up match with only captain Misbah getting in some contribution and the top-order will need to get over the jitters. Younis Khan will be a key man given that the conditions will be difficult to bat in for the inexperienced batting line-up.
New Zealand will have the services of Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum. Both had missed the T20Is and had then played in the warm-up game. McCullum slammed a double century while Vettori bowled 23 overs for 30 runs and picked up three wickets in the game. However, it will depend on how the support staff plays that could decide the course of the game.
Jesse Ryder is back into the side after persistent injuries had made it difficult for him in India. He will bat in the middle-order while McCullum should open the innings with Tim McIntosh with Martin Guptill coming in at three. There is a good chance that Kane Williamson will also play while Reece Young will make his international debut.
Chris Martin and Tim Southee will lead the pace bowling department, while Darryl Tuffey may make it to the side as the third pacer.
Players to look out for:
Ross Taylor could be the player for New Zealand apart from McCullum but it will also be interesting to see how their pace bowlers go about their business in conditions that should be helpful. Younis Khan will hold the key for Pakistan while the return of Sohail Tanvir should be exciting.
