Summary Pakistan selectors have retained the same team that earned its first test series win over Australia.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Misbah-ul-Haq can become Pakistan s most successful test captain in the three-test series against New Zealand starting Sunday.
The 40-year-old Misbah, who has led Pakistan in 31 tests, needs just one more victory to surpass the team-record of 14 test victories shared by Imran Khan and Javed Miandad.
Pakistan selectors have retained the same team that earned its first test series win over Australia in 20 years by whitewashing Michael Clarke s side 2-0 last Monday.
Given its recent record on the slow wickets of the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan could not have asked for better non sub-continental opponents than New Zealand. Pakistan has won six out of the last seven test matches in the UAE against strong teams like South Africa, England and Australia, losing just one to the Proteas.
"I am confident that we will play good cricket against New Zealand, and we should play that way," Misbah had said soon after Pakistan recorded its biggest ever victory in terms of runs when Australia was beaten by 356 runs at Abu Dhabi four days ago.
The Pakistan captain silenced critics who accused him of being a defensive captain by smashing test cricket s fastest fifty before equaling Sir Viv Richards world record of a 56-ball century.
Misbah and Azhar Ali scored centuries in each innings of the second test against Australia, while Younis Khan smashed three successive centuries including a double hundred at Abu Dhabi.
While Ahmed Shehzad and wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed also recorded centuries in the first test against Australia, it was Pakistan s inexperienced spinners who admirably filled the void left by the suspended Saeed Ajmal.
Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar chipped in with 14 wickets, while legspinner Yasir Shah claimed 12 against Australia. They are once again expected to test the likes of New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor on slow the turning wicket at Abu Dhabi.
New Zealand has to turn around its poor test history against Pakistan. It has just won twice out of the 20 series competed between the two nations. Pakistan has won 13 test series while five were drawn.
New Zealand s last test series victory against Pakistan came in New Zealand in 1985, when it recorded a 2-0 win.
New Zealand will be relying on its Indian-born legspinner Ish Sodhi to match the likes of Babar and Shah. Sodhi showed a glimpse of his talent by bagging five wickets in the first innings of the drawn three-day game against Pakistan A in Sharjah, but the legspinner will be tested hard by Younis, Ali and Misbah the three most prolific Pakistan batsmen against spin.
Williamson and Taylor both returning from injuries couldn t get much batting practice in the only innings of New Zealand s warm-up match, and only Corey Anderson smashed a quick 80.
"Corey (Anderson) showed a lot of good stuff with the bat. It s always tough in a warm-up game because you are trying a few things and testing a few methods," fast bowler Neil Wagner said after the drawn match. "But obviously a lot of positives, with Ish (Sodhi) getting his five-for and the spinners doing really well."
New Zealand has also recalled fast bowler Doug Bracewell after a one year s after he was left off New Zealand s central contract list this year.
Teams:
Pakistan (from): Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imran Khan, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Yasir Shah, Ehsan Adil, Zulfiqar Babar.
New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (captain), Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.
