New Zealand vs Pakistan – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is New Zealand vs Pakistan taking place? Friday, December 25th, 2020 – 22:00 (UK)
Where is New Zealand vs Pakistan taking place? Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
What is the expected weather for New Zealand vs Pakistan? 19-21c with sunshine and cloudy intervals
What channel is New Zealand vs Pakistan on? The match will be televised live on BT Sport 3
Where can I stream New Zealand vs Pakistan? The match will be streamed live on the BT Sport app and website
Where can I get tickets for New Zealand vs Pakistan? Tickets for this match can be purchased here!
LAST MEETING
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 123 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW ZEALAND
- New Zealand come into this two-game Test series with Pakistan following a 2-1 victory in the T20 series but they have good form in this format of the game having won their last four Test matches played against India and the West Indies, and having won five of the last six against Pakistan.
- They comprehensively outplayed West Indies earlier this month beating them both times by an innings after putting up big totals when batting first and they will likely look to follow that blueprint here if they win the toss.
- Kane Williamson missed the second Test due to the birth of his child but he will likely come back into the side for Will Young to form what is a fearsome looking line-up with only Colin de Grandhomme missing from what is arguably their strongest team in this format.
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan return to Test action after their last series was played in August in England where they lost 1-0 in a three Test series where they competed extremely well in a series heavily impacted by rain.
- They are not helped by injuries for this opening Test at least as Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq and Shadab Khan are all absent through injury so Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side but they are left somewhat weakened.
- The rest of their Test regulars such as Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas all return to action here but they will have to hit the ground running as they have not played Test cricket for four months unlike the hosts.
THE PREDICTION
After New Zealand won the T20 series 2-1, they now face Pakistan in Test action as this two-game series kicks off at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The hosts will be extremely confident of continuing their fine form in the longest format of the game and they were utterly dominant in the recent 2-0 whitewash win over the Windies. They now face a Pakistan side with plenty of talent but somewhat weakened with Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq. Much will depend on how quickly the tourists can acclimatise to conditions and their bowlers could well find some success in conditions in New Zealand. That said, their batsmen could well struggle and after going four months without Test cricket while the Blackcaps have see plenty of action, that will surely favour the hosts. Expect New Zealand to pick up a comfortable win to start the series.
