New Zealand is fine given that they’re going through “a transformation” introduction to their new Test skipper. Yes, they have lost six of nine World Test matches this season and were surely the first guinea pigs in the ‘Bazball Experiment’. They haven’t played a single Test match since.
But it’s New Zealand! It never seems all that drastic, though. They’ll plan, nurture, be efficient and effective, and optimize their resources while playing the cards they’ve been dealt. They’ll be glorified again. It’s simply a matter of time.
New Zealand Runs – 1st Innings 1st 55 Overs
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 27, 1:30 P.M. (GMT)
New Zealand’s form has been a bit shaken lately, but under their new captainship, bookmaker 10bet predicts that New Zealand will score over 191 in the first 55 overs in the first innings with the odds of 1.83. Conversely, New Zealand is missing a few key players and lacks a strong top-key order due to which their odds of scoring under 191 stand at 1.76.
On the other hand, Pakistan has gone into old-school rooted meltdown mode, and we’re screaming about damn time! There was a little fluffy cloud of blandness until last week. Ramiz Raja, Babar Azam, and the PCB’s social media all experienced a historic 3-0 whitewash against their opponent.
As a result, Shahid Afridi became the chief selector five days later. That always takes some getting accustomed to. The new (really old) guys cut cake as the first order of business after staging a coup against Ramiz. Babar’s teammates were forced to tweet their support while nobody was doing the same for Saqlain Mushtaq, so expect him to be relieved of his duties before long.
Now people are debating Rizwan’s status in the Test squad. The home system will soon be entirely deconstructed. The primary selector is Shahid Afridi, who says, “We had a good discussion on the squad and agreed we needed to strengthen our bowling department to give ourselves the best chance of taking 20 wickets in a match.”
What this signifies for the future of the two Tests now playing is anyone’s guess. Pakistan is in pain and undergoing rapid change. New Zealand is being New Zealand – and haven’t played a Test in years. Both are coming off four straight defeats. Let’s say it shouldn’t be dull, at least.
Mohammad Rizwan is having a challenging year. With the new selection committee in place, one of the first names on Pakistan’s team sheet is no longer guaranteed. His T20I relationship with Babar is being questioned and Sarfaraz Ahmed has been called back for Tests. It’s somewhat unjust. His glovework is a tad showy, but he’s safer than any of his recent colleagues. He’s batting 30 this year, which isn’t terrific but isn’t terrible. It’s not a string of low scores but rather unconverted starts.
Everyone is suddenly a fast-bowling captain. Southee looked cooked this summer in England. However, that was largely down to England’s batting rather than his bowling. Six months on, he is the new Test captain of New Zealand on a bowling continent with a stellar record. He gave a tutorial in Kanpur, but this time he’ll be without his long-term partner, Trent Boult. How he handles the ball and commands the field will determine how the tourists do in this series.
Pakistan had a squad – then PCB’s renovation started with adding three new players. As far as Babar is concerned, “We will discuss with the selectors; then we will decide the final XI”. With the addition of Ajaz Patel, New Zealand is set to bolster their spin attack. Trent Boult is, of course, ‘unavailable’.
A New Zealand tour of Pakistan was planned last year, but security teams warned the management about a possible attack on the contingent that forced players to leave immediately and prompted the PCB’s Ramiz Raja to criticize NZC for not trusting the security arrangements made. NZC promised to tour Pakistan again and that’s how the Black Caps landed for a 5-match tour involving Tests and ODIs.
Pakistan vs. New Zealand Test Winner Odds (Outright)
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 27, 1:30 P.M. (GMT)
Although Pakistan has the home-ground advantage, New Zealand comes in as the favorite with bookmaker 10bet giving them odds of 3.75. Pakistan, on the other hand, which is just one rank above New Zealand in the World Test Championship Table, has an odds of 4.40 of winning. Pakistan and New Zealand though have a better chance of drawing the series with the odds of that happening at 1.71.
As Tim Southee has taken over as captain of New Zealand after Kane Williamson quit, he will be in the starting line-up for the first Test. Pakistan has also recalled pacer Hasan Ali to the squad. It will be interesting to see how the New Zealand batters deal with mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed during the Test series.
