PAK vs NZ 1st Test Match Prediction

PAK vs NZ Team Previews

Pakistan

Pakistan has come under immense pressure after losing its previous four Test matches at home. That is unprecedented and puts Babar Azam's captaincy right in the crosshairs. There have been a couple of changes to the squad after the loss to England as Hasan Ali and Kamran Ghulam make a comeback into the squad. 

Imam ul Haq is likely to return from injury and it will be interesting to see who he replaces. Abdullah Shafique has had a terrific start to his Test career and should be given a long rope. Shan Masood, himself making comeback into the team, may be shifted to three in place of Azhar Ali. 

Babar Azam is in great batting form and will take the number four position followed by the impressive Saud Shakeel at five. Mohammad Rizwan is under pressure at number 6 but we think Pakistan will continue to stick with him for the time being.

Agha Salman has probably just done enough to keep his place at number seven with Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed as the four bowlers. There is no doubt that Pakistan's bowling attack is a bit weak and depends very heavily on the young  Abrar Ahmed. 

He picked up 17 wickets in his first two matches and we think he will dominate the New Zealand batters as well. 

New Zealand

New Zealand is coming to Pakistan under a new captain. Kane Williamson has stepped away and handed the reigns to Tim Southee. This is not an easy tour to start out with and Southee is going to be tested to the limits. 

While New Zealand would have been buoyed at seeing England's performances, we don't think they have the personnel to play that kind of cricket. Neither do they have that kind of batting strength nor do they have the all-rounders that give England so much flexibility. 

Interestingly, New Zealand's previous Test series was also against England which it lost 3-0. Tom Latham and Will Young opened the batting followed by Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Henry Nicholls. This should remain unchanged for the first Test match as well. 

Daryll Mitchell has done quite well at the number six position and should keep his place. The number seven position is going to be interesting. New Zealand has Tom Blundell, the better keep, or Glenn Phillips, easily the better batter. Michael Bracewell could find himself at number eight as the spin-bowling all-rounder followed by Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, and Neil Wagner. 

New Zealand's batters are likely to struggle against spin and we think their bowling attack is also not the best suited for Pakistani conditions.