Hafeez, Shehzad take Pakistan to 85/0 at lunch

Pakistan’s opening pair built up a strong start as the team reached 85/0 at lunch on day one of the first Test against New Zealand being played at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Mohammad Hafeez was not out on 45, whereas Ahmed Shehzad was playing unbeaten on 40. Pakistan had won the toss and decided to bat first.

Pakistan would look to keep their winning momentum which gave them a long-awaited series victory over Australia.

Pakistan achieved a rare 2-0 win with emphatic 221-run and 356-run victories for their first series win over Australia in 20 years.

The win was more significant as Pakistan were without their match-winning spinner Saeed Ajmal who is suspended due to illegal bowling action while spearheads Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz were both injured.

Pakistan would continue to attack a New Zealand team who also struggle against spin and have not won a Test series against Pakistan since a 2-0 triumph at home in 1985.

More impressive is Pakistan’s home record, having not lost against the Black Caps since 1969. Of the 50 Tests between the two, Pakistan have won 23 and New Zealand just seven with 20 drawn.

New Zealand hope leg-spinner IS Sodhi could come good after taking five wickets in the drawn side game against Pakistan ‘A’.

The Kiwis would also hope their experienced middle-order batsman Ross Taylor is fully fit after suffering a calf injury and having managed just 11 in the tour game in Sharjah.