First Test: Pakistan win toss; put New Zealand to bat first
Mohammad Rizwan is leading the Pakistan side in the absence of Babar Azam.
MOUNT MAUNGANUI (Dunya News) – Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first in the first Test of the two-match series against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Mohammad Rizwan is leading the Pakistan side in the absence of Babar Azam. Pakistan s preparations were hit this week with Shadab Khan ruled out with a thigh injury to join Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq on the sidelines.
Coach Misbah-ul-Haq said he was "confident and optimistic" other players would step up, but the odds are stacked against the tourists.
Squads:
Pakistan: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan (capt and wk), Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah.
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.
