Pakistan win toss, opt to bat against New Zealand in Dubai

DUBAI: Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat in the second Test against New Zealand in Dubai on Saturday.

Both the teams will field the same playing XI from the first Test match.

Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from their Abu Dhabi defeat and level the series 1-1. Pakistan, set a modest 176-run target, were undone by a shambolic batting display as they lost their last seven wickets for just 41 runs after being on course for victory at 130-3.

On the other hand, the Black Caps will be looking to capitalise on their victory and seal the series.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the second Test, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed said, that Pakistan have left that defeat behind but recognise the shortcomings of their batting.

"What mistakes we committed we have left them in Abu Dhabi,” said Sarfraz on Friday.

"If you analyse our last eight Tests or so, our batsmen get out without playing long innings so we have spoken to them about that.”

Sarfraz said Pakistan badly need a win in the second Test.

"This is an important Test for us so we should play good cricket and we realise how important it is to bounce back and then go on to win the series,” said Sarfraz.

The batting is still a concern for Pakistan. The green shirts went from 130-3 to 171 all out as New Zealand pulled off a sensational four-run win in Abu Dhabi.

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, who are now the senior batsmen, have been well below their best. Azhar has managed just 422 runs with no hundreds and Shafiq 590 with one hundred — a far cry from what Pakistan needed.

The third and final Test will be played in Abu Dhabi from December 3.
Playing XI

Pakistan: Imam ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain and wicketkeeper), Bilal Asif, Yasir Shah, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Abbas

New Zealand: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Colin de Grandhomme. Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult