After an action-packed T20 and ODI series, Pakistan and New Zealand now turn their focus towards red-ball cricket as the two sides get ready to meet in the first of the three Tests on Friday.

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will be the setting for the series opener which promises to be an absorbing contest.

Here we take a look at the key talking points.

PAKISTAN CHASE FIRST WIN AGAINST KIWIS SINCE 2011

It has been almost eight years since Pakistan last beat New Zealand in a bilateral Test series. Misbah-ul-Haq’s side in 2010-11 was the last Pakistan team to overpower the Kiwis. Then, Pakistan had notched up an impressive away win in New Zealand after winning the first Test at Hamilton by 10 wickets.

Since that 1-0 win for Pakistan, the two sides have met twice in the Test arena. The first of those meetings came in the UAE in 2014 with three-Test series finishing level at 1-1. Pakistan won the first Test at Abu Dhabi by 248 before New Zealand bounced back with an innings victory in the final match of the series.

When the two teams met in New Zealand in 2016, the hosts won both Tests in convincing fashion.

Sarfraz will be looking to get the better of Williamson.

ABBAS THE MAIN THREAT

Pakistan have been unbeaten in their three most recent Test series with one man’s contributions being pivotal in that run. Seamer Mohammad Abbas has been sensational with the red-ball over the past one year and has already picked up 59 wickets from just 10 Tests.

The 28-year-old starred in Pakistan’s win over Ireland and Australia along the drawn series in England. Against Australia, he put in a man-of-the-series performance by bagging 17 wickets in the two Tests.  He has shown he can thrive even on the slower wickets of the UAE and will be the biggest threat to New Zealand’s batsmen.

Abbas was exceptional against the Aussies.

PATEL SET FOR NEW ZEALAND TEST DEBUT

With the conditions in the UAE favouring the slower bowlers, left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel is likely to make his Test debut for New Zealand on Friday. Williamson has three spinners in the form of Ish Sodhi, Will Somerville and Patel at his disposal and is likely to field a two-man spin attack.

Patel made his international debut in the T20 series and picked up one wicket from two outings. The 30-year-old was tidy in the two games and should play a greater role with the red-ball. He has picked up 187 wickets so far from 44 first-class matches and has been the highest wicket-taker in New Zealand’s domestic circuit for three years.

With Pakistan’s batting unit possessing plenty of right-handers, Patel will be key to New Zealand’s hopes of a positive result.

Patel could surprise the Pakistan batsmen.

SQUADS

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain and wicketkeeper), Mohammad Hafeez, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Saad Ali, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Ish Sodhi, Will Somerville, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner

WHEN: November 16 to 20, 2018

WHERE: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

TIME: 10:00 GST onwards