New Zealand vs Pakistan Test series: 5 compelling reasons to watch this contest

The Test series between New Zealand and Pakistan is not going to grab the headlines as the one between India and Australia, taking place across the Tasman Sea is doing. However, if you are a genuine cricket fan with an avid interest in the game, there are plenty of good reasons why you should tune into this upcoming contest. 

Despite the depleted nature of the Pakistani team, and their weakness when touring to this region of the world, there are many facets of the team that are worth looking out for. There are also some existing questions which both teams are facing and the answers to whom would form a very important sub-plot to these two upcoming matches. 

So, let's prep up your appetite for this series by looking at five most important things to watch out for in this battle.

World Test Championship

The most important sub-text of the series is its role in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC). New Zealand suddenly found themselves with a very good shot at making it to the final of the tournament because of changes in the points system, brought about due to the COVID pandemic and cancellation of several series. 

If New Zealand win both these Tests, and many would be betting on them to do so, they would put India, their closest challengers for a spot in the Lord's Final, to be played next year, in a near-impossible scenario for reaching the summit contest. 

A 2-0 victory for the hosts would mean that India will have to win five out of their next seven Tests to overtake New Zealand at the no. 2 position in the current standings. This won't be easy as three of those matches are in Australia. So, this series will she the Kiwis not just playing against Pakistan but also having a spot in the WTC Final at stake. It makes these matches all the more important. 

Blundell's Test

While the batting line-up of the Blackcaps is well settled otherwise, there is an issue right at the top. New Zealand have been searching for Tom Latham's partner for a long time. They have tried many, from Martin Guptill to Jeet Raval, but nobody has made the spot his own. 

The current incumbent is Tom Blundell. He made a name for himself by scoring a hundred in the Boxing Day Test last year, in Australia, and despite being a wicketkeeper, has been made the opener. He needs another good score to keep the faith of the team and management. 

Blundell hasn't done much since that hundred. If he fails in this series also, that would make his place in the team doubtful. That's why this is a very crucial series for the right-handed batsman. 

Shah's Challenge

When Yasir Shah debuted in 2014, after Saeed Ajmal got banned for chucking, Shane Warne immediately recognised great potential in him. Yasir has justified that praise by becoming the fastest bowler to 200 Test wickets in the history of the game. 

However, his record outside Asia isn't very impressive. Except for England and West Indies where he has had great success, his other tours havent's yielded great results. Australia has been a veritable nightmare for the leggie. 

The tour to New Zealand gives Yasir an opportunity to prove that he is not a dustbowl bully and can succeed in adverse conditions. The pitches in New Zealand are likely to be very green. This would make it difficult for him to find any help. He would have to use his skills to the fullest to get wickets. If he does, he would establish himself as a bowler of true high-class quality. 

Can Abbas Turn the Tables on Kiwis?

Pakistan are going into the series with serious handicaps. They are missing their premier batsman Babar Azam, also the captain, for at least the first Test. If there is any chance for them to upset New Zealand, it may depend on how Mohammad Abbas bowls. 

Not a man with rapid pace, Abbas made a big mark in international cricket in 2018 with his nagging line and length that proved deadly in United Arab Emirates. He raced to 50 Test wickets in no time and seemd to possess amazing skills of seam bowling. 

However, his place in the team was lost due to the arrival of young, exciting, and pacy bowlers. But he has been picked in the Test team again and has a golden opportunity in this series. The reason is simple. 

New Zealanders usually prepare green tops against teams from Asia. Even the last series against West Indies saw the Kiwis having lush green strips for both the Tests. On such pitches, Abbas, with his precise line and the ability to get the ball to move just enough, may prove deadly. Hence, New Zealand will be wary of him. If he manages to rip through the home team's batting line-up, that could give Pakistan a decent chance. 

Spotlight on Naseem and Shaheen

Pakistan have one of the most exciting group of young fast bowlers in the world. However, the likes of Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi endured a miserable time in Australia when David Warner smashed them around mercilessly. 

But the two were able to recover in home conditions against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Now, as they head to New Zealand, the spotlight would be again on them. Their young age and prodigious talent would be talked about. 

Getting wickets at home, against relatively weak batting line-ups is one thing. But to take on New Zealand in their home conditions would be a challenge far more tough. If these two men succeed in this series, that would justify the faith of those who regard them as future of Paksitan's seam bowling. A failure would raise doubts about that proposition. 

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