The New Zealand cricket team will lock horns with Pakistan in a two-match Test series starting December 26 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
The Kiwis are currently placed at the third spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table and if they clinch the series 2-0, the BlackCaps would be firm favourites to progress to the finals of WTC.
The Kane Williamson-led New Zealand had whitewashed West Indies 2-0 earlier this month. Later, the hosts trounced the Pakistan cricket team 2-1 in the three-match T20I series. Watch New Zealand vs Pakistan on live streaming in India.
On the other hand, Pakistan will be without their regular captain Babar Azam, who has been ruled out of the first Test due to a thumb fracture. Mohammad Rizwan will lead the visitors in Babar's absence, becoming the 33rd Test skipper of Pakistan.
Injury-hit Pakistan will also miss the services of opener Imam-ul-Haq (thumb) and all-rounder Shadab Khan (thigh) in the first Test, with spinner Zafar Gohar drafted into the squad.
Interestingly, Pakistan have won only one of their last seven multi-game bilateral Test series outside home - losing five and drawing one. Their solitary win came against Australia (1-0) in the UAE in October 2018.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Test full squads
New Zealand Test squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (wicket-keeper), Will Young
Pakistan Test squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain for 1st Test), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah and Zafar Gohar. (Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq and Shadab Khan not available for the first Test).
For NZ vs PAK cricket odds and betting, visit Sportsbet.io and look for Test series New Zealand vs Pakistan.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Test schedule, venue and live India match times
NZ vs PAK, 1st Test: December 26-30, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui - 3:30 AM IST
NZ vs PAK, 2nd Test: January 3-7, Hagley Oval, Christchurch - 3:30 AM IST
SportsAdda will bring you New Zealand vs Pakistan Test matches’ live scores here.
Where to watch New Zealand vs Pakistan Test series live in India?
Unfortunately, no TV channel in India will telecast the New Zealand vs Pakistan Test series. However, cricket fans in India can watch NZ vs PAK live streaming on the FanCode app or the website.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @ICC
