Pakistan will look to make a bright start in the three-match Test series against New Zealand which gets underway at Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Playing in the comfort of their ‘fortress’ in the UAE, Sarfraz Ahmed and his men will start as the favourites in the series against the Blackcaps who are playing their first Test match since April this year.
The Pakistan skipper expects seamer Mohammad Abbas and leg-spinner Yasir Shah to give his side the edge in the series. Abbas has been in fine form ever since his introduction to international cricket last year and he bagged the man-of-the series award in Pakistan’s 1-0 win over Australia.
Yasir, on the other hand, was far from his best and returned with only eight wickets in the two matches. Safraz however, is backing the 32-year-old to put in a much better showing against the Kiwis.
“Yes, our bowling attack is good. Abbas has been bowling superbly while Yasir didn’t look as great as we had expected, but in this series I expect more from Yasir,” Sarfraz said on the eve of the opening Test.
Kane Williamson’s men shared the ODI series 1-1 after rain wiped out the decider but were on the receiving end of a 3-0 whitewash in the T20s. Sarfraz, however, is not taking New Zealand lightly in the Test series.
“New Zealand are a good side and gave us tough times both in the Twenty20s and one-day internationals,” he said.
Sarfraz expects Yasir Shah to bounce back.
For the visitors, left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel is set to make his Test debut on Friday with New Zealand likely to field a two-man spin attack. Despite the inexperience in his side, Williamson wants his men to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible.
“Obviously, coming into Pakistan’s home series there is a lot of work to do in terms of the overseas sides adapting to the conditions as best as they can,” Williamson said.
“I think it’s important that we adapt with this inexperienced side that we have come here with and look to learn quickly because we want to be playing our best cricket under these conditions.”
The top-order batsman is wary of threat posed by Abbas and Yasir.
“They both are outstanding bowlers and bowling well for a long time. Abbas, ever since he entered international cricket, is bowling superbly around the world,” Williamson stated.