Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: CricTracker/Twitter |
Preview co-written by @Abdushakoorcric.
Here are some truths you can’t deny:
1- Sun rises in the East
2- Earth is round
3- Pakistan team is unpredictable
You just don’t know what you’ll get with when watching a Pakistan match. They can eradicate your hopes when expected to win, and can prove you wrong in your Pakistan-to-lose predictions. One day they find it difficult to stay at the crease and on other occasions they take rest on the pitch for two days. That is the thing Pakistani fans can sometimes boast about when they come out to win the title out of nowhere like the ‘RKO’ of Randy Orton.
Will they come out and take the series or will New Zealand bounce back?
Pakistan gave fans a scare of a match draw (with possibly an end like ODI series), grinding their way to 418 in nearly two days. But they say “collapses start from ordinary/soft dismissals”, and New Zealand’s started with a drag on by Jeet Raval but not to take credit away from the Yasir Shah who spun a web around the Kiwis. He started to become better and better and unplayable for them, with Mickey Arthur in admiration of Yasir Shah post match. It was one of the finest spells you’ll ever see, which well-and-truly turned the series. Will he take centre stage in Abu Dhabi?
The rain was falling early on day three, and New Zealand were sitting pretty 1-0 up in the series in the changing rooms. The Dubai Test was about how would blink first, with both sides displaying significant patience over the first two days. Unfortunately for the Black Caps, it was they who blinked first, losing 10 wickets for 40 runs in an unforgettable period of play. There was improvement in the second innings, but was ultimately too late thanks to a bad period, which is something New Zealand must avoid in the decider.
Key to a Pakistan win
Key to a New Zealand win
Possible teams
Pakistan are at sixes and sevens by the news of Mohammad Abbas’ shoulder injury. Although he has just two wickets this series, he has built pressure, enabling the other bowlers to pounce. Shaheen Shah Afridi is reportedly in line to make his debut, and Bilal Asif could be replaced by Faheem Ashraf.
Pakistan: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Mohammad Hafeez, 3. Azhar Ali, 4. Haris Sohail, 5. Asad Shafiq, 6. Babar Azam, 7. Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), 8. Bilal Asif/Faheem Ashraf, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Yasir Shah, 11. Shaheen Shah Afridi
For New Zealand, Tim Southee could come in for Ish Sodhi, who isn’t having the best of times.
New Zealand: 1. Jeet Raval, 2. Tom Latham, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. BJ Watling (wk), 7. Colin de Grandhomme, 8. Tim Southee/Ish Sodhi, 9. Neil Wagner, 10. Ajaz Patel, 11. Trent Boult
Dream11
- BJ Watling continues to be a solid cog in New Zealand’s batting lineup.
- Kane Williamson is a due a score, and is an option for C or VC. I have gone with Azhar Ali, who looked to be near his best in Dubai.
- Mohammad Hafeez is also due a score. Bilal Asif is a chance of being replaced by Faheem Ashraf, so stay clear of Bilal.
- Yasir Shah is my captain, with Hasan Ali in the side thanks to his excellent bowling this series.
Stats and Facts
- Pakistan’s win in Dubai was their first against New Zealand in five Tests.
- Yasir Shah is five away from becoming the fastest ever to 200 Test wickets. The current record is 36 Tests by Clarrie Grimmett. Yasir Shah has 195 in 32 Tests.
- If Pakistan win this Test, it will be their first Test series win v New Zealand since 2010/11.
