KARACHI: New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan in second Test Match here on Monday. Pakistan made two changes with Naseem Shah and Hasan Ali playing for Nauman Ali and M. Wasim .
Experts say the pitch has some grass. Pakistan might think about going with an extra pacer.
NZ have won the toss and are batting#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/JVCvLuhG25
— Adrees Malik (@masadmuzmalik) January 2, 2023
It ma be recalled that in the first Test, Pakistan staved off a fifth consecutive defeat at home with a hard-fought draw despite career-best bowling figures from New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.
New Zealand, who abandoned their white-ball tour of Pakistan last year due to security concerns, are looking to end a run of four straight test defeats with Southee as the new captain following the six-year tenure of Kane Williamson.
Pakistan are seeking to overcome a similar slump, including a 3-0 home series defeat by England, in the two-test series against the New Zealanders.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Naseem Shah, Hassan Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza
New Zealand: Tim Southee (c), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel
