Stay: Black Caps v Pakistan – day one of many first take a look at in Karachi

First take a look at: Black Caps v Pakistan

The place: Karachi Nationwide Stadium; When: December 26–30, 6pm each day [NZ time]

Stay protection: Sky Sport 1, stay updates on Stuff

The Black Caps are set to play their first take a look at in Pakistan since 2002 and their first match of any variety there since 2003 on Boxing Day, when their two-match sequence begins at Karachi Nationwide Stadium.

A go to for white-ball cricket final 12 months was aborted on the morning of the primary one-day worldwide on account of safety considerations, however groups from Australia and England have each returned there this 12 months and New Zealand is now set to observe.

The primary take a look at would be the Black Caps’ first beneath new captain Tim Southee, who was unveiled because the shock successor to Kane Williamson earlier this month, forward of the naming of a 15-strong squad.

There will probably be loads of curiosity in whether or not his group can get a uncommon win or two in Pakistan, at a time when the house group is surrounded by turmoil.

Right here’s all you should know forward of the toss [5.30pm Monday NZ time] and the primary ball [6pm].

Staff information

Black Caps head coach Gary Stead and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen have each talked up the significance of wrist-spin in Pakistan, which factors in the direction of Ish Sodhi enjoying his first take a look at since 2018.

Pakistan in the meantime have a squad of 19 gamers to select from, after a newly-installed choice panel, chaired by former all-rounder Shahid Afridi, added three new faces to the unique group of 16: Off-spinner Sajid Khan and seamers Shahnawaz Dahani and Mir Hamza.

Black Caps (from): Tim Southee (captain), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Will Younger, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner.

Pakistan (from): Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Zahid Mehmood, Nauman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sajid Khan

The climate

The forecast in Karachi is for clear skies all through, with highs between 26C and 28C.

The shape

Pakistan head into the primary take a look at towards New Zealand having misplaced three matches in a row at dwelling towards England, with the final of these defeats coming as lately as final Tuesday.

All advised, they’ve received simply one among their seven matches in 2022, away in Sri Lanka, whereas additionally dropping there, and at dwelling to Australia, following two attracts.

The Black Caps’ final take a look at outings have been in June and have been additionally three losses to England. The distinction between the 2 groups throughout the three first innings in that sequence was simply 36 runs, however the hosts proceeded to then chase down targets of 277, 296 and 299.

Earlier than that, they drew 1-1 with Bangladesh and 1-1 with South Africa at dwelling final summer season.

The historical past

It has been 20 years because the final Black Caps a take a look at in Pakistan – a loss by an innings and 324 runs in Lahore in 2002, the place Inzamam-ul-Haq dominated New Zealand with the bat and Shoaib Akhtar dominated them with the ball.

The second and last match in that sequence was by no means performed after a bomb exploded outdoors the New Zealand resort in Karachi.

Altogether they’ve performed 21 assessments in Pakistan for simply two wins, which got here 27 years aside, in 1969 and 1996.

The discuss

Black Caps coach Gary Stead: “The circumstances that we face listed below are very, very completely different to what we get in New Zealand as properly, so we picked our squad considering {that a} leg-spinner will probably be essential”.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam: “We couldn’t play the final sequence the best way we needed to, as a result of we dedicated errors. Now we have to overcome that and attempt to play good cricket”.