New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st Test Match Prediction 26 Dec 2020
Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 2020-21
Bay Oval, Tauranga, New Zealand
New Zealand
3.96
180/5 in 45.3
2.19
271/10 in 123.3
Pakistan
New Zealand
3.96
180/5 in 45.3
Pakistan
2.19
271/10 in 123.3
Bay Oval, Tauranga, New Zealand
Toss Winner - Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 101 runs
NZ vs PAK Prediction
Babar-less Pakistan face stern Test against in-form New Zealand.
- Kane Williamson and Tim Southee have been standout performers for New Zealand in Test cricket.
- Host New Zealand completed a clean sweep in their previous Test series played against West Indies.
- In the past 12 months, Shan Masood and Abid Ali have done well for Pakistan in red-ball cricket.
Expect New Zealand to register a thumping win over Pakistan.
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Match Preview
Low-on-confidence Pakistan will certainly have to raise their game when they will face New Zealand in the two-match Test series, starting from December 26 in Mount Maunganui.
Host New Zealand have included Mitchell Santner, Will Young and Daryl Mitchell for the two-match Test series. Captain Kane Williamson will be hoping that the side can continue their winning streak at home.
The Pakistan’s cricket have suffered a setback as captain Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq have been ruled out of the opening Test against New Zealand. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan will also miss the opening game due to thigh injury. Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side for the opening game.
*Our match preview predictions are fully researched and provided in good faith but no profits are guaranteed. Please gamble responsibly, you should only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose.
Low-on-confidence Pakistan will certainly have to raise their game when they will face New Zealand in the two-match Test series, starting from December 26 in Mount Maunganui.
Host New Zealand have included Mitchell Santner, Will Young and Daryl Mitchell for the two-match Test series. Captain Kane Williamson will be hoping that the side can continue their winning streak at home.
The Pakistan’s cricket have suffered a setback as captain Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq have been ruled out of the opening Test against New Zealand. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan will also miss the opening game due to thigh injury. Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan will lead the side for the opening game.
*Our match preview predictions are fully researched and provided in good faith but no profits are guaranteed. Please gamble responsibly, you should only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose.
Teams Preview
New Zealand
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series due to a foot injury.
New Zealand have shown excellent form in home conditions and not lost a Test since March 2017. Kane Williamson-led unit managed to register series wins against top sides like England and India.
In the batting department, the home side will be relying on the likes of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham to deliver the bulk of the runs.
Since December 2017, Opener Tom Latham has shown excellent form for New Zealand and topped the batting charts in Test cricket. Left-hander has accumulated 1544 runs in 20 Test matches at an average of 51.46, with five centuries and six half-centuries to his name.
There is no doubt that Kane Williamson is the premier batsman for New Zealand in the five-day format. In his previous Test played against West Indies at Hamilton, Williamson delivered his highest individual score of 251 runs for New Zealand.
Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell will make the middle-order for New Zealand.
In the bowling department, the side will be relying on four-pronged pace attack of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Kylie Jamieson to make crucial breakthroughs.
Since December 2017, Tim Southee has topped the bowling charts for New Zealand in Test cricket. He has claimed 88 wickets in 17 Test matches at an average of 21.80 with five five-wicket hauls to his name.
Besides Southee, Trent Boult has claimed 72 wickets, whereas Neil Wagner has picked up 71 wickets during this period.
New Zealand Actual Playing XI:
Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, KS Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell, TG Southee, Tom Latham, Kyle Jamieson
New Zealand Key Players From Previous Game
BatsmenR
B
4s
6s
SR
D Conway
63
45
7
1
140
T Seifert
35
20
2
3
175
G Phillips
31
20
4
0
155
BowlersO
M
R
W
Econ
T Southee
4.0
0
25
2
6.25
S Kuggeleijn
4.1
0
44
2
10.56
K Jamieson
2.3
0
18
1
7.2
Bowlers
O
M
R
W
Econ
T Southee
4.0
0
25
2
6.25
S Kuggeleijn
4.1
0
44
2
10.56
K Jamieson
2.3
0
18
1
7.2
Of Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 2020-21
New Zealand Predicted Playing XI
Kane Williamson (captain), Will Young, Tom Latham, BJ Watling (wk), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner/ Daryl Mitchell, Kylie Jamieson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner
Pakistan
On the other hand, the visitors are coming in the series after losing the T20I series against New Zealand.
Without Babar Azam and Imam-ul Haq, the side might bring in Sarfaraz Ahmed as extra batsman, while Imran Butt might make his debut for Pakistan in this opening Test.
Therefore, the team management will be hoping that the side can put in a decent show after losing key players like Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq.
In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Azhar Ali, Shan Masood and Abid Ali to produce notable scores in this contest.
Opener Shan Masood has certainly been a consistent performer for the side at the top of the innings. Since November 2019, Masood has accumulated 575 runs in 8 Test matches at an average of 44.23 with three centuries and one half-century to his name.
Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan has been named captain for this opening Test. He is the 33rd captain to lead Pakistan in the five-day format.
Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam and Sarfaraz Ahmed will make up the middle-order for Pakistan for this opening contest.
In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the pace trio of Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi to deliver crucial breakthroughs. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah will be lone slow option for Pakistan for this fixture.
Pakistan Actual Playing XI:
Yasir Shah, Haris Sohail, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Fawad Alam, Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Faheem Ashraf, Azhar Ali
Pakistan Key Players From Previous Game
Batsmen
R
B
4s
6s
SR
M Rizwan
89
59
10
3
150.85
M Hafeez
41
29
2
3
141.38
I Ahmed
14
7
1
1
200
Bowlers
O
M
R
W
Econ
F Ashraf
4.0
0
20
3
5
S Afridi
4.0
0
43
2
10.75
H Rauf
4.0
0
44
2
11
Bowlers
O
M
R
W
Econ
F Ashraf
4.0
0
20
3
5
S Afridi
4.0
0
43
2
10.75
H Rauf
4.0
0
44
2
11
Of Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 2020-21
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI
Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt/ Sarfaraz Ahmed, Fawad Alam, Naseem Shah, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi.
New Zealand
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series due to a foot injury.
New Zealand have shown excellent form in home conditions and not lost a Test since March 2017. Kane Williamson-led unit managed to register series wins against top sides like England and India.
In the batting department, the home side will be relying on the likes of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham to deliver the bulk of the runs.
Since December 2017, Opener Tom Latham has shown excellent form for New Zealand and topped the batting charts in Test cricket. Left-hander has accumulated 1544 runs in 20 Test matches at an average of 51.46, with five centuries and six half-centuries to his name.
There is no doubt that Kane Williamson is the premier batsman for New Zealand in the five-day format. In his previous Test played against West Indies at Hamilton, Williamson delivered his highest individual score of 251 runs for New Zealand.
Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling and Daryl Mitchell will make the middle-order for New Zealand.
In the bowling department, the side will be relying on four-pronged pace attack of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Kylie Jamieson to make crucial breakthroughs.
Since December 2017, Tim Southee has topped the bowling charts for New Zealand in Test cricket. He has claimed 88 wickets in 17 Test matches at an average of 21.80 with five five-wicket hauls to his name.
Besides Southee, Trent Boult has claimed 72 wickets, whereas Neil Wagner has picked up 71 wickets during this period.
New Zealand Actual Playing XI:
Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, KS Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell, TG Southee, Tom Latham, Kyle Jamieson
New Zealand Key Players From Previous Game
| Batsmen |
R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D Conway | 63 | 45 | 7 | 1 | 140 |
| T Seifert | 35 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 175 |
| G Phillips | 31 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 155 |
| Bowlers |
O | M | R | W | Econ |
| T Southee | 4.0 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| S Kuggeleijn | 4.1 | 0 | 44 | 2 | 10.56 |
| K Jamieson | 2.3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 7.2 |
| Bowlers |
O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T Southee | 4.0 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| S Kuggeleijn | 4.1 | 0 | 44 | 2 | 10.56 |
| K Jamieson | 2.3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 7.2 |
Of Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 2020-21
New Zealand Predicted Playing XI
Kane Williamson (captain), Will Young, Tom Latham, BJ Watling (wk), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner/ Daryl Mitchell, Kylie Jamieson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil WagnerPakistan
On the other hand, the visitors are coming in the series after losing the T20I series against New Zealand.
Without Babar Azam and Imam-ul Haq, the side might bring in Sarfaraz Ahmed as extra batsman, while Imran Butt might make his debut for Pakistan in this opening Test.
Therefore, the team management will be hoping that the side can put in a decent show after losing key players like Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq.
In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Azhar Ali, Shan Masood and Abid Ali to produce notable scores in this contest.
Opener Shan Masood has certainly been a consistent performer for the side at the top of the innings. Since November 2019, Masood has accumulated 575 runs in 8 Test matches at an average of 44.23 with three centuries and one half-century to his name.
Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan has been named captain for this opening Test. He is the 33rd captain to lead Pakistan in the five-day format.
Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam and Sarfaraz Ahmed will make up the middle-order for Pakistan for this opening contest.
In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the pace trio of Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi to deliver crucial breakthroughs. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah will be lone slow option for Pakistan for this fixture.
Pakistan Actual Playing XI:
Yasir Shah, Haris Sohail, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Fawad Alam, Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Faheem Ashraf, Azhar Ali
Pakistan Key Players From Previous Game
| Batsmen |
R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M Rizwan | 89 | 59 | 10 | 3 | 150.85 |
| M Hafeez | 41 | 29 | 2 | 3 | 141.38 |
| I Ahmed | 14 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 200 |
| Bowlers |
O | M | R | W | Econ |
| F Ashraf | 4.0 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 5 |
| S Afridi | 4.0 | 0 | 43 | 2 | 10.75 |
| H Rauf | 4.0 | 0 | 44 | 2 | 11 |
| Bowlers |
O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F Ashraf | 4.0 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 5 |
| S Afridi | 4.0 | 0 | 43 | 2 | 10.75 |
| H Rauf | 4.0 | 0 | 44 | 2 | 11 |
Of Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 2020-21
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI
Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt/ Sarfaraz Ahmed, Fawad Alam, Naseem Shah, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi.Pitch And Weather Conditions
| Hr | Temp | Rain | W. speed | W. direction | Clouds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00h | 21 | 0 mm. | 4.77 k/h | From: W | 15% |
| 03h | 21 | 0 mm. | 6.87 k/h | From: W | 4% |
| 06h | 19 | 0 mm. | 7.66 k/h | From: WSW | 1% |
| 09h | 16 | 0 mm. | 7.62 k/h | From: WSW | 0% |
| 12h | 14 | 0 mm. | 4.98 k/h | From: WSW | 0% |
| 15h | 12 | 0 mm. | 4.14 k/h | From: SW | 2% |
| 18h | 13 | 0 mm. | 3.69 k/h | From: SW | 27% |
| 21h | 17 | 0 mm. | 1.76 k/h | From: SW | 29% |
Traditionally, the pitch at Bay Oval is expected to favor the batsmen rather than bowlers. Spinners will get some help from the surface in the last two days of the Test match. The weather forecast for Saturday is expected to be bright and sunny
Venue Details
Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui will host the opening Test between New Zealand and Pakistan.
Host New Zealand will take heart from the fact that they have won their previous Test played against England at this venue.
Toss Prediction
With the weather expected to be sunny for the Test, the side that wins the toss would be keen to bat first and put runs on the board.
Winning Prediction
Based on performances in red-ball cricket, New Zealand will start as clear favorites to win this opening game against Pakistan.
With the likes of Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls delivering consistently good performances for New Zealand in the past 12 months, New Zealand will be keen to continue their winning ways in home conditions.
Without Babar Azam, the big issue for Pakistan will be their batting and how well they can adjust to the conditions.
Expect New Zealand to register a thumping win over Pakistan.
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