"HOME" series

Pakistan played their "HOME" ODI and T20 series in Abu Dabi and Dubai.. They play "HOME" test series in New Zealand..

Nov 24 -  Nov 28  23:00 GMT	1st Test - New Zealand v Pakistan            University Oval, Dunedin
Dec 3 - Dec 7 23:00 GMT	2nd Test - New Zealand v Pakistan               Basin Reserve, Wellington
Dec 11 -  Dec 15  23:00 GMT	3rd Test - New Zealand v Pakistan             McLean Park, Napier

Pakistan are without their regular test captain, Younis Khan. The side would be led by Mohammad Yousuf, mostly because he is a permanent feature in the side.. Will have to wait and watch if he has the skills or is just a name sake captain..


Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) will be used in the upcoming home Test series against Pakistan. The review system would also be implemented by Australia during the home Test series against West Indies and Pakistan.. Since ICC said that the cost for running this should be borne by the home team or the broadcasters, it is not used in the India-SriLanka series and the SouthAfrica England series..

The tour game has ended in a draw.. Not a great game, a 3 day game.. Fawad Alam continues to impress. Abdur Rauf bowled well and it was good to have a game for Asif.. Tim McIntosh notched up another 100 in the first class circuit..

Teams:

Pakistan:

In Younis' absence, Yousuf will lead.. He will be tested, Younis' return will also depend on the captain and the team's performance.. Aamer would be the bowler to watch out for, he swings the ball and has good pace..

The future of Misbah-ul-Haq as a Test batsman will be decided after the first Test in New Zealand as Pakistan's selectors decided to observe the team's performance.Yousuf had asked for Misbah to fill in Younis' boots, but since already a lot of players are there in NZ the management is not keen to send another one..

Mostly, Gul Aamir and Rauf will be the fast bowlers.. Asif may be considered.. Ajmal or Kaneria will be the spinner.. Kamran, keeper.. Manzoor/Farhat/Butt as openers.. Yousuf, Umar Akmal, Malik middle order.. Faisal Iqbal is making a come back of sorts.. Fawad Alam will be pushing for a slot too..

Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Fawad Alam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Abdur Rauf, Faisal Iqbal, Danish Kaneria, Imran Farhat, Mohammed Aamir, Mohammed Asif, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat, Shoaib Malik.. 

New Zealand:
Vettori, Shane Bond, Grant Elliot, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Tim McIntosh, Brendon Mc Cullum, Chris Martin, Ian o' Brien, Ross Taylor, Darryl Tuffey, Jeetan Patel..

Jeetan will most likely be the no.12 unless Vettori is not fit to play..
Vettori is cleared to play the 1st test.. Notable absence is Kyle Mills who is heading for a shoulder surgery and will e off for 4 months..
Grant Elliot may also sit out.. 4 quickies and Vettori would be enough, no need for another bowling option.. But if he is thought of as a replacement for Jesse Ryder, then he plays and Flynn/Fulton miss out..

New Zealand are tough side to beat at home, Pakistan will do well to win a match.. They certainly have match winners, but will they be able to play well for 5 days is a big question.. Aamir will be the player to watch out for.. Be weary of him..