Can Pakistan batsmen survive on this New Zealand pitch?

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[MenInG]

Absolutely no difference between pitch and outfield!

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Well West Indies ended.up wasting that pitch. Only 2 wickets. Either the pitch wasn't as bad as it seemed or WI just blew it.

Aa for Pakistan, the pitch didn't seem that bouncy. If Pakistan were to bat when it flattens out, as usually does in NZ, I can see Babar/Haris and one of openers making a good score.

 

[Rana]

If India can’t then I don’t expect much from Pakistan

 

[MenInG]

PakPassion.net: Having previously played in New Zealand yourself, how do you expect Pakistan to perform out there?

Mohammad Wasim: Tours of New Zealand have never been easy for Pakistan. Conditions are different and the pitches will be helpful for the fast-bowlers, which probably will be the home team’s game plan against Pakistan. So, I expect plenty of grass left on the pitch, especially in Test matches. In terms of bowling, the likes of Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah Afridi will pose a threat against New Zealand so making the pitches too fast-bowler friendly could go against the home-side. The real challenge will be for our batsmen and the seniors in the side such as Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Abid Ali and Shan Masood’s techniques will be tested. The new ball and short-pitched bowling will keep these batsmen on their toes and from a cricket lover’s point of view, it will be an interesting series to watch. This Pakistan side has the capability to beat any side in the world but for that they will need to master the conditions and play some attacking cricket.

 

[Saj]

The risk NZ run if they go for green tracks is that Pakistan's pacers can trouble the home team's batsmen.

However I still expect bowling friendly tracks for the series with the NZ bowlers causing Pakistan a lot of problems.

 

[RickyG]

I find that Pakistan have historically done relatively alright in England and New Zealand because the pitches actually even out the contest a little bit. As long as Pakistan have smart seam and swing bowlers they do well because they exploit the conditions well.

Our batsmen manage to score runs through nicks and edges and put up scores that our bowlers can work with. When our bowlers fail is when we lose matches like in England this year.

The key this series will be how quickly we can remove Williamson and Taylor as well as making sure we capitalize on the times we put NZ under pressure. Our batting is fragile but if we can score close to the 300 mark give or take we will give ourselves a chance.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

To be honest, there will be movement on the first day but these pitches becomes flat progressively. Win toss bowl first and dominate the match. West indies have bowled too short through the day and helped New Zealand escape here. Rest assured Shaheen or Abbas won't do any such favors to New Zealand. I also expect our batsmen to fight it out.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Boult has been on fire this year and he will be the danger man for us. Hoping Babar can negotiate and help team get those fighting scores.

 

[MMHS]

I think, Kiwi wickets are a bit deceiving- it looks more threatening than actually is, because unlike AUS/SAF it doesn’t have that stiff bounce, neither it swings that much like UK. Or other way I can say, with similar amount of grass, wickets in Australia, South Africa or England are much more difficult to negotiate. Having said that, first two hours in first two days are always going to be tough.

This Test, batting wasn’t exposed because of a master innings by Williamson - WIN gave about 24 extras hence the RR is above 3, but Kiwis reached first 50 in 20 overs against new ball, just one down - that’s the key here. If Kiwis can reach lunch less than 5 down today, they might bat once here. If Williamson & Latham scores at 45 SR after facing 400+ balls - it’s not easy out there.

For PAK, key will be to bowl first - regardless of it’s sunny or cloudy; Kiwi wickets don’t crack & it doesn’t turn, therefore bowling first is almost often the wiser call. If PAK bats first, must make sure not to go to first lunch at 4-5 down - 55/1 in 29 overs is a fantastic start there. PAK’s tail is probably weakest now in many years and if they play five bowlers with Shadab & Faheem, tail starts from 6 down - against 2nd new ball or in morning session, PAK’s bottom half won’t last a full session, hence the target for tail will be to play aggressively (not desperately) & score as much as possible in quick time so that the wickets are still fresh when PAK pacers are bowling.

Shan/Imam/Abid & Azhar is going to be PAK’s top three - and Boult will be bowling 8-9 overs opening spell, may be 12-13 overs in first session .... game will be decided there.

 

[Green Patriot]

You can't even make out the pitch lol.

But looks can be deceiving since WI didn't manage to do much on this.

 

[shamaan]

In new zealand i will bowl first early wickets is the key get williamson out early and your 100 percent in the game.shadab should play play and bat at 7.

 

[hitthestump]

The risk NZ run if they go for green tracks is that Pakistan's pacers can trouble the home team's batsmen.

I think this myth has been put to bed. We've seen Shaheen and Naseem did little in helpful conditions in England, while Abbas was quickly figured out after a few innings.

Green mambas haven't been any use to us since prime Amir/Asif well over a decade ago.

 

[Junaids]

I lived in NZ for 4 years.

If the sun comes out those pitches brown off inside 2 sessions. After that it is a batsman’s paradise.

You still bat first, but make sure that your numbers 6-9 batsmen can score another 150 after you are 200-6 at Tea.

 

[Tubs]

Only Babar, Azhar and Sarfaraz have a chance to stay in for a bit I'd say. Say what you like about the latter 2, they have been known to dig deep. I would include Shafiq to that list if he was in the squad.

 

[Kaddy]

Only Babar, Azhar and Sarfaraz have a chance to stay in for a bit I'd say. Say what you like about the latter 2, they have been known to dig deep. I would include Shafiq to that list if he was in the squad.

Asad Shafiq's batting average in New Zealand is 23.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Things look ominous for Pakistan. Huge responsibility on Babar to perform.

 

[Hyperion66]

I think Pak bats will do better than what we did in NZ. However their bowling will be thrashed around mercilessly. General lack of strokemaking ability of Pak bats, bar a couple' ensures that they don't go for expensive cover drives or poke around 4th and 5th stumps too much. Hence they fair better in England and in similar conditions.

 

[KoyoAli]

Only Babar, Azhar and Sarfaraz have a chance to stay in for a bit I'd say. Say what you like about the latter 2, they have been known to dig deep. I would include Shafiq to that list if he was in the squad.

Since when is Sarfraz known to dig deep? And he is not playing ahead of Rizwan anyway so it's pointless.

 

[shaaik]

Jamieson is going to be our menace this series both with bat and bowl. If we are able to get hold of him and boult then we wd definitely have a chance to beat Kiwis.

 

[UzmanBeast]

The combination that the Pakistan team plays will be extremely important. Our squad against England was too unbalanced, and there was a lack of bowling options presented. Babar will need a lot at his disposal to make sure that he can get rid of some crucial partnerships. Something like this wouldn't be too bad considering the players we have at our disposal.

Shan Masood
Imam-Ul-Haq
Azhar Ali
Babar Azam
Fawad Alam
Haris Sohail
Mohammad Rizwan
Faheem Ashraf
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Mohammad Abbas
Naseem Shah

The squad has batting until 8 to accompany a decent middle order. There are a lot more bowling options presented as well, with the likes of Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam who can both bowl a combined 8-10 overs if needed.

The actual workload falls on the fast-bowlers. If Shaheen can give around 20-22 overs an innings, along with Abbas giving 25 overs, with Naseem giving 15-16 overs, and Faheem giving around 20 overs, we can have a decent bowling attack without needing a spinner overseas.

A lot is riding on Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah. Shaheen and Abbas will contain the economy and take wickets up front, but this pair has to do some damage in the middle overs. I'd suggest having Faheem Ashraf bowl at the stumps and try to get some seam movement, whereas having Naseem challenge the New Zealanders with bouncers and short stuff at the body.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Seen these green wickets before and and once you get throught the 1st session the wicket ends up being flat as a pancake, all the grass sometimes does is make the bounce less springy and also offers less pace of the pitch. So once a player gets in they can pile up the runs.

 

[shamaan]

I think this myth has been put to bed. We've seen Shaheen and Naseem did little in helpful conditions in England, while Abbas was quickly figured out after a few innings.

Green mambas haven't been any use to us since prime Amir/Asif well over a decade ago.

The difference was broad and anderson who made played more games than the whole attack of Pakistan also pakistan attack is in experienced give it time.and it wasnt a green mamba the series against england

 

[MenInG]

Supreme test of concentration coming up for our guys....

 

[gazza619]

Need to play your shots. Cut and pull. I reckon if Ijaz Ahmed who is on tour as a coach takes back his retirement, he would score plenty here.