New Zealand will lock horns with Pakistan for a two-match Test series starting on December 26, 2022, at National Stadium, Karachi. Tim Southee has been appointed as the new Test captain after Kane Williamson decided to step down.
New Zealand will not qualify for the ICC Test Championship final, while on other hand, Pakistan also would not be able to finish in the top two. The Kiwis would be looking to perform brilliantly on Pakistan soil in the longer format. Babar Azam and Co struggled badly after being whitewashed by England with a scoreline of 0-3.
Both teams would be playing for pride as the ICC Test Championship finals dream ended. New Zealand visited Pakistan soil in 2002. Pakistan won the first by 1-0 before the second match was canceled due to a bomb blast near the hotel before the start of play.
All set for the #PAKvNZ Test series 🏆#TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/FR73g6g2eC
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 25, 2022
New Zealand would be hoping for decent performances while Pakistan would look to make amends after their whitewash against England.
Pakistan looked out of color as their batting and bowling struggled against a strong England side. They have made changes to the squad as Kamran Ghulam has been included as Azhar Ali played his last Test match.
Naseem Shah makes a return to the squad after not featuring in the 2nd and 3rd Test matches against England. Hasan Ali has been included after being dropped due to poor performances. The interim chief selector Shahid Afridi added 3 players including Shahnawaz Dhani, Mir Hamza, and Sajid Khan.
Pakistan vs New Zealand – Squads
New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, Tim Southee (C), Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell, Ajaz Patel.
Pakistan: Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Imam UL Haq, Babar Azam (C), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammed Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Zahid Mahmood, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Mohammed Wasim Junior, Shahnawaz Dhani, Mir Hamza, Sajid Khan.
Pakistan vs New Zealand – Schedule
New Zealand versus Pakistan (National Stadium, Karachi)- 26th-30th December
New Zealand versus Pakistan (National Stadium, Karachi)- 2nd-6th January 2023
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