Pakistan will need to improve a lot against New Zealand to win the Test series

[Amjid Javed]

Whilst any sort of test series win is welcome for Pakistan the 1-0 win over a weak Australian side has not papered over the cracks in currently showing in the team. During the test series there were some positives to take forward, but also quite a few negatives points which will be exposed by better sides we face.

New zealand have already got some of their players in the "A" sqaud over here playing in the UAE, Add to that the LOI games being played 1st they will be well acclimatized to the conditions come the start of the test Series.


Fakhar Coming in and opening the inns and scoring runs and been able to adapt his game was a positive. Most of other batsmen also got time in the middle during the 2nd test 2nd inns so at least most players have had time to gain some form. Sarfraz finally performing with the bat was a welcome relief after being a passenger in the side for so long,

Abbas been the star bowler means that we can have confidence that we can take wickets with new ball and old ball in conditions which are batsmen friendly. Asifs bowling stint in 1st test was also a positive (whether he is a reliable 2nd spinner longterm remains to be seen, it was only in 2nd inns of the 2nd test where he began to learn and realize what sort of speeds, lengths and lines to bowl on these wickets when they go very placid).

But there are also issues galore to fix

Captaincy - Sarfraz has been pretty poor in series, in 1st test he was getting over animated his game plans were poor. Use of reviews were shocking, To not use your best bowler at start of day 5 was criminal. Games in UAE are attritional and need patience but also some intelligence and thats something hes not shown in either game.

Yasir shah - Top quality bowler, but hes bowled poorly in both games, working to a game plan and building pressure seems to have gone out of the window, almost turned up thinking wickets would be gifted to him. The captain also seem to feel need to keep over bowling him when hes not bowling well, big calls need to made sometimes and players need to be taken off and other bowlers used during inns instead. The lack of other front line spinners in this sqaud of Australian series was massive worry and that needs to change against new zealand.

Its no coincidence pakistan took wickets in both games when they dried up the runs and The new zealand batsmen i believe will cause more problems for bowlers to solve.

The 2nd seamer position is still up for grabs and Also if Asif going to be effective as 2nd spinner against Black caps? Its a hard job take 20 wickets in these conditions and pakistan need to think long and hard how they are going to go about taking those wickets.

The batting so hafeez came in scored a 100, then reverted back to rubbish type, he was essentially also brought in as he can bowl but was then under used? So does he remain in side or does Imam come back into the side as he batted well in 1st test.

Azhar at number 3, was pretty poor in both test. Slowed the whole inns down in 1st test and was one of culprits to blame for the drawn game. Both him and sohail decide in two out of the 4 inns during series it was a good idea to have a blockathon while were on top of the game in conditions ideal for batting. Allowing opposition to regain control in field with such negative mindset will be exposed by better sides.

Playing spin - Apart from Fakhar and Sarfraz in 2nd test overall during series a lot of the time our players look woeful playing spinners. Both Sohail and Babar in particular look like against a top quality spinner would be a gift wrapped wicket. Also our batsmen need to show they can score under pressure and not when we are miles ahead of the game.

I can see new zealand with batting they have putting decent totals up on board during the test series, that means Yasir either has to regain form or everyone other then Abbas need to start providing wickets as well. Also if games are going to go full length we need to maximize time to get 20 wickets by using good game intelligence which was not shown at all in 1st test.

Batting wise, we cant afford any silly collapses like in the 1st inns 2nd tests or what we saw against SL last year either. Its all good wrack up runs when your on top, but when pressure is applied our batsmen fold like a pack of cards.

We will see how much we have progressed since the SL loss in UAE in the next series against New Zealand.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Yasir's form will be key. We could have easily won the first test match too if he had bowled as good as Labuschane.

One of Azhar or Hafeez must sit out. Ideally Hafeez. Imam is our pressure player and must play.

 

[bodyjohn]

Yasir's form will be key. We could have easily won the first test match too if he had bowled as good as Labuschane.

One of Azhar or Hafeez must sit out. Ideally Hafeez. Imam is our pressure player and must play.

I think hafeez and yasir shah will play important part against NZ series. Hafeez need to work on his batting to get into his supreme form like before.

 

[Savak]

Australians benefited massively from the Dubai pitch becoming absolutely flat on Day 4 and 5. The second test showed where they truly stand on a spinning and reverse swinging wicket.

 

[Hasan123]

Yes there is a lot that needs to improve if we are to win the series . NZ are a more experienced side than Australia so they will be difficult to beat. Need Yasir to step up.

 

[CricketDon]

NZ will collapse harder then austrliabdidbin the second test. They can’t play spin

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

While New Zealand is a far better team than Pakistan. In spinning conditions they have only three batsmen who pose a real threat: Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham. Their spin attack is weak and I don't expect Boult, Southee or Wagner to get many wickets on these wickets. Batting order also looks brittle after number 4: it will likely be Henry Nichols, Watling, and either de Grandhomme or Todd Astle at 7.

Pakistan are clear favorites on paper but you never know with the Kiwis. They always punch above their weight, just as they did last time they toured UAE.

 

[Amjid Javed]

While New Zealand is a far better team than Pakistan. In spinning conditions they have only three batsmen who pose a real threat: Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham. Their spin attack is weak and I don't expect Boult, Southee or Wagner to get many wickets on these wickets. Batting order also looks brittle after number 4: it will likely be Henry Nichols, Watling, and either de Grandhomme or Todd Astle at 7.

Pakistan are clear favorites on paper but you never know with the Kiwis. They always punch above their weight, just as they did last time they toured UAE.

New zealand have 3 batsmen, A world class one, a very good one and one who has scored well in Asian conditions. Most teams in world cricket dont have that luxury right now, all 3 of these plsyers play spin well and could score big, they are better then Aussies weve just played.

 

[Napa]

I know ODIs and Tests are not the same, but given his very good performance in Asia Cup, I think Junaid Khan deserves a chance to play for his national team in all formats.

 

[AliMurtaza]

NZ series will be more difficult than the Aus series. Their batting lineup is much stronger than Aus and as a group, their spinners will pose major challenge to Pak.

Again, just like the Aus series, I feel we have only one good test bowler in Abbas heading into the NZ test series. It is early days but Mir Hamza seems to have poor control. However, I will still pick him for NZ test series and give him at least 1 more test. Yasir is still struggling to pick top order wickets. Bilal is yet to convince me that he is a top quality test bowler.

So, what Pak should do for NZ test series?

- If Hafeez won't bowl, Imam should open with Fakhar. The rest of the batting lineup should remain same. However, players like Haris and Babar need to be more consistent. NZ test series will be big for both of them.

- Pick Junaid Khan as 3rd seamer behind Abbas and Mir Hamza. If Hamza appears lackluster against NZ in first test match, make Junaid partner Abbas. I don't think Hassan is good enough for test cricket at this point and Amir still needs to spend time in domestic. No other fast bowler from domestic stands out for me.

- Pick Kashif Bhatti as a 3rd spinner and if Yasir or Bilal struggle in first test against NZ, give Kashif a debut. He may not be a long term option but he is in form and should play UAE tests as long as he is fit and performing.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

They are better and while those three batsmen are very good even in these conditions, I'd still back Abbas or Yasir Shah to get them out.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

NZ series will be more difficult than the Aus series. Their batting lineup is much stronger than Aus and as a group, their spinners will pose major challenge to Pak.

Again, just like the Aus series, I feel we have only one good test bowler in Abbas heading into the NZ test series. It is early days but Mir Hamza seems to have poor control. However, I will still pick him for NZ test series and give him at least 1 more test. Yasir is still struggling to pick top order wickets. Bilal is yet to convince me that he is a top quality test bowler.

So, what Pak should do for NZ test series?

- If Hafeez won't bowl, Imam should open with Fakhar. The rest of the batting lineup should remain same. However, players like Haris and Babar need to be more consistent. NZ test series will be big for both of them.

- Pick Junaid Khan as 3rd seamer behind Abbas and Mir Hamza. If Hamza appears lackluster against NZ in first test match, make Junaid partner Abbas. I don't think Hassan is good enough for test cricket at this point and Amir still needs to spend time in domestic. No other fast bowler from domestic stands out for me.

- Pick Kashif Bhatti as a 3rd spinner and if Yasir or Bilal struggle in first test against NZ, give Kashif a debut. He may not be a long term option but he is in form and should play UAE tests as long as he is fit and performing.

Lol which spinners? Todd Astle, Ish Sodhi and the uncapped Ajaz Patel? I'd say Lyon is better than all three combined.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

New zealand have 3 batsmen, A world class one, a very good one and one who has scored well in Asian conditions. Most teams in world cricket dont have that luxury right now, all 3 of these plsyers play spin well and could score big, they are better then Aussies weve just played.

They are far better than Australia and while those three batsmen are very good even in these conditions, I'd still back Abbas or Yasir Shah to get them out.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Fakhar and Sarfraz’s batting will be the key. If they score and others scores around them, than they are the kind of batsmen who can turn a game around within a session. From New Zealand perspective, I think they’ll definitely rely on Ish Sodhi in the spin department. Tim Southey will definitely hold his own in the small burst of spells. Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson are suited for UAE visit because they know the art of grinding the opposition out of the game. All in all, NZ have more match winners than Pakistan and I wouldn’t be to see any sort of outcome.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Only thing I am worried about is that we do not have a genuine second spinner in the squad. Spin will be key against those quality bats.

Unfortunately Inzi and Mickey disagree.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Have they announced the squad yet?

 

[PakLFC]

New Zealand are no worse then Australia are at the moment. As confident as I am of a Pak win we must not take the Kiwis for granted.

 

[TeymurBlake]

There are definite area's of the Pakistan team that needs improving. The one particular glaring issue that could be resolved is the need for a suitable out and out spinner. I for one am not impressed by Bilal Asif, I find him to be too one dimensional and his batting hasn't been something that too adequate either. With Hafeez, he's to useless, he can't bat against top sides and he hasn't bowled that well since his test return. Azhar is too slow for test cricket surprisingly, Haris is similar to Azhar in which he gets himself in by taking all his time just to see him get out. Despite that I still like Haris cause I think there are areas to improve with him. Mir Hamza has done alright so far, but not enough sample size with him. Yasir for me has been a surprising disappointment in this series and personally I would like Pakistan to look for other options or like Amjad bhai said, give a solid plan.Sarfaraz Ahmed as a batsman and at times as a keeper has saved himself for the NZ series but as a captain is still under fire. Fakhar has started well, Babar has done well in the second test and will be required to keep up in the NZ series, Mohammad Abbas the man of the moment will also be required to continue his fine form from the Aussie series.

 

[Asif321]

Amir should be opening with Abbas gives him practice for SA tour also
Wahab dropped Amir IN

 

[hadi123]

Agreed. New Zealand are better than Australia in Asia and our performances were not as clinical as they could have been in this series against Australia. From 57-5, you are not often going to win a Test match. Fakhar and Sarfaraz dug us out of a hole, but that's not always going to be the case. I think the toss will also be very important in this upcoming series.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Weve seen england and S.A seamers do well in some games in UAE against us so i can see wagner, boult causing us problems during series.

 

[Bewal Express]

Yasir is taking wickets even though he isn’t turning the ball or bowling with his normal control, this could be a good sign in as far as he can only get better or on the other hand he could struggle even more and sooner or later force the selectors to make a decision. Hamza at this stage doesn’t look right, Wahab is finshed and Amir looks lost. JK is the only option but injuries have led to the loss of a cutting edge. Fakhar is crucial to the batting because he is like in the ODI team, the only one with more than one gear.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Somehow I don't see New Zealand as threatening without Brendon McCullum.

I think Pakistan will win the series against NZ, though it will be hard fought. NZ will benefit again by playing us after the Aussies have just played us, and studying how our bowlers and batsmen went about their jobs.

 

[Abdullah719]

Have they announced the squad yet?

Yep, a while back. http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?274734

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Yep, a while back. http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?274734

SOrry, I meant have WE announced the squad yet?

 

[Abdullah719]

SOrry, I meant have WE announced the squad yet?

Oops

No. Just the T20I squad for the Australia series.

The NZ Tests are later, T20Is/ODIs are first so there is probably some time left before the NZ squad is decided upon.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Oops

No. Just the T20I squad for the Australia series.

The NZ Tests are later, T20Is/ODIs are first so there is probably some time left before the NZ squad is decided upon.

They should have announced the test squad on the 4th day of the recently concluded test. The picture was pretty clear by then. It would have given the players a complete peace of mind.

 

[Markhor]

New Zealand are better than this Australia side shorn of its two best batsmen. They have good players of spin like Williamson and Latham who scored two centuries in the last tour of UAE in 2014.

Hafeez's selection on the basis of his off-spin cannot be justified given how little he bowls. He certainly doesn't merit a place as a batsman as he's been proven to be a walking wicket against pace time and again. He's a straight swap for Imam.

Hopefully for Azhar and Babar their 2nd innings performances in Abu Dhabi will be a turning point. There's no point asking for consistency from Shafiq who will continue to do just enough to keep his place in the side without ever taking the lead as a senior batsman.

As for the bowling - Yasir's been short of overs in the last year and it showed against Australia whose top six managed him with ease. Whether Yasir can continue to be our lead spinner will be determined by this series vs NZ. Also up in the air is whether Mir Hamza will partner Abbas or if we return to Hasan Ali whose workload Sarfraz and Arthur want to manage before the 2019 World Cup. I doubt Junaid Khan will be recalled given his history of injuries - he's exclusively a white ball squad member now. That leaves Shaheen Afridi though we must be careful not to overburden his young body or Faheem Ashraf who could provide an extra batting option.

Hopefully Sarfraz has learned tactically the way to go about winning in the UAE from the Sri Lanka series and Dubai Test vs Australia. There are long spells where the game moves slowly and you must show patience as a captain, but you must attack when you gain an opening with your best bowlers.

The conditions should become even more spin friendly given the amount of cricket being played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi which will host two Tests in the series and where we've only lost once in 11 Tests.

 

[shariqnoor]

The only thing that prevents me from putting NZ as favorites against Pakistan is the fact that they haven't had any international cricket for 6 months. They should be rusty in Test cricket.

However, they are playing the limited overs leg first which means Williamson, Latham and Taylor all have a chance to acclimatize properly before the Tests start.

Abbas' novelty factor would've worn off and this time NZ won't make the mistake of ignoring Abbas which Australia did. They'll prepare adequately against him and this would be the first real test of Abbas.

I don't expect us to knock over NZ for under 200 as we did to Australia almost 3 times out of 4. They will easily score 350 especially given that Yasir isn't performing. Pakistan desperately needs to get in Junaid, a wicket taking bowler alongside Abbas.

 

[Savak]

NZ also in comparison to the Aussies have better batting discipline for the subcontinental conditions. Williamson and Latham have the batting patience and grinding skills to toil.

Abbas will need better support from the second pacer and Yasir this time around

 

[Suleiman]

Yasir was always overhyped from the beginning. Age is not on his side now, and with the suspension, fitness deteriorating and from the hit or miss we've seen from him outside Asia, time to nip it in the bud.

He made his debut replacing Saeed Ajmal, yet now that his time is more or less done people want to continue to cling on to him like they did with Ajmal towards the end.

You either retire a hero or play long enough to see yourself become the villain.