NZ vs Pak 1st Test – Check New Zealand vs Pakistan head-to-head record in Test: New Zealand are set to take on Pakistan in a two-match Test series and the Black Caps will be high on confidence after winning the Twenty20 International series 2-1. New Zealand have enjoyed a magnificent summer so far as they won the Twenty20 International series against West Indies as well as the Tests 2-0 and the Kiwis will be hoping to continue their form against an injury-hit Pakistan cricket team.
Also, Kane-Williamson-led New Zealand will be aiming to boost their position in the World Test Championship and move closer to the No.1 Test ranking when they lock horns with Pakistan. If New Zealand win the series 2-0 and India suffer losses in the series against Australia, then they might be in contention for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final which could take place in June 2021 at Lord’s.
Notably, Mohammad Rizwan, the star of the 3rd T20I, will now be leading the Pakistan Test team in the absence of Babar Azam. The newly announced all-format captain of Pakistan was ruled out of the T20I series due to an injury and the same has kept him away from the Test series opener. Also, Shadab Khan has suffered a thigh strain and he has been ruled out.
Meanwhile, here we take a look at head-to-head record between New Zealand and Pakistan in Test.
Total matches played: 58
Won by New Zealand: 12
Won by Pakistan: 25
Draw: 21
Here are some other important stats to note:
New Zealand hasn’t lost any of their previous 20 Test matches at home where they batted second. New Zealand also has not lost any of their last 17 home Tests where they chose to bowl first.
New Zealand has won each of their last four Test matches; a streak that involves 2-0 win against India and a 2-0 victory against West Indies as well at home this year. The only instance of New Zealand winning more than four Tests in succession came between 2005 and 2006 where they won five in a row.
Pakistan has not won any of their last nine Test matches played outside Asia. Their last Test victory while playing outside Asia came in the 2018 tour of England at the Lord’s. Pakistan lost seven successive Tests played outside Pakistan/UAE before the drawn game in Southampton earlier this year.
New Zealand will start the Test series against Pakistan on the back of an unbeaten 15-match streak in Test cricket at home. The Blackcaps have also won each of their last seven Test series played at home.
New Zealand vs Pakistan squads
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, BJ Watling, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult.
Pakistan: Mohd Rizwan (C), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Imran Butt, Haris Sohail, Shan Masood, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohd Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Test schedule
First Test
New Zealand vs Pakistan 1st Test, December 26-30, 3:30 AM IST at Bay Oval
Second Test
New Zealand vs Pakistan 2nd Test, January 3-7, 3:30 AM IST at Hagley Oval