Pakistan has been going through a rough patch in Test cricket. The team has been failing to perform well in the longest format of the game at home. In the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan dominated the format of Test cricket with a scintillating display. Pakistan used to win series for fun in UAE under the leadership of Misbah-ul-Haq. However, things have started getting tough for Pakistan since the side has been hosting cricket in Pakistan.
Pakistan is facing major issues due to numerous reasons in Test cricket. While the cricket experts criticized Misbah ul Haq for his slow display in the game of cricket, nobody could deny his brilliance in the format of Test cricket. As soon as Misbah made a departure from the Test cricket circuit, we have not witnessed same Pakistan. In New Zealand vs Pakistan 2023 Test series, Pakistan needs redemption.
The Pitches Are The Problem
Pakistan has been preparing flat decks at home since the men in green shifted from the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan. The tracks of Pakistan provide tremendous support for the batsmen. In the past, we have observed that Pakistan has the best bowling attack in the world. Pakistan has won the majority of the games due to its bowling display. The batting was never the strength of Pakistan. Yes, nobody could deny the fact that Pakistan has the presence of spectacular batsmen on the side with the inclusion of players like Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique in the side.
The players demonstrated their potential in Test cricket and have been scoring runs consistently. However, things are observed in the overall scenario. If we look at the Pakistan Test batting side overall, it appears vulnerable if the main batsmen do not perform according to the expectations. As soon as the bowlers start exposing the batting side, Pakistan has a fear of losing quick wickets.
The Rawalpindi venue has been producing bad pitches in recent times. There is no room for the bowler in terms of cracking the code and troubling the batsmen. In UAE, the Pakistan team played on pitches that provided phenomenal support to the bowlers. Pakistan played cricket under the spectacular leadership of Misbah ul Haq who led the side amazingly well. Babar Azam needs to make a comeback in Pakistan vs New Zealand 2022 Test series and showcase his great batting skills.
The Unsettled Batting Side
The Pakistan batting side has been failing to make a great impact in the home series. In the times when Misbah ul Haq was the captain, Pakistan had Younus Khan, the in-form Azhar Ali, Misbah ul Haq, Asad Shafiq and the wonderful Sarfraz Ahmad who used to carry the batting side terrifically well in the Test match.
They used to score high totals on the board and were ready to face any kind of bowling side of the opposition. Since Younus Khan and Misbah ul Haq have left the circuit, Pakistan has a batting side that is unbalanced and unsettled. Once the bowlers get the momentum against the Pakistan batting side. the whole team is bundled out.
The players like Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique need to score high totals on the board. Not the small totals, but really big innings which set up the momentum for Pakistan in the Test match. There was a time when Younus used to score 150+ runs that gave Pakistan a splendid platform to defend the totals.
When the teams score great totals on the board, it gives the bowling side a wonderful advantage to settle up things. If Pakistan wants redemption in Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023 Test series, Pakistan needs to rectify the issues in the batting department.
The Spin Bowling Department
Pakistan had a spectacular spin bowling department for a long time. There was a time when Mushtaq Ahmad used to bowl amazingly well with varieties to trouble the batsmen. He did not allow the batsmen to play freely and score easy runs on the board.
On the other hand, there was Saqlain Mushtaq who was a mystery spinner. He is the definition of the textbook off-spinner. With his wonderful art of spin bowling, Saqlain troubled the opposition immensely. Saqlain has taken 450+ wickets for Pakistan and provided a significant contribution to the side over the years.
Then Pakistan found Danish Kaneria who emerged to be one of the most successful spin bowlers in Pakistan cricket. In the middle overs, Danish proved to be a tough customer for the opposition. He used to take wickets to help Pakistan stand well in the bowling department. Danish carried the bowling department of the Pakistan side with his great skillset and performed amazingly well for Pakistan.
An off-spinner came to the circuit who was ready to carry the legacy of Saqlain Mushtaq in Test cricket. He was Saeed Ajmal. When Ajmal was playing Test cricket for Pakistan, it was like as if he were displaying the beautiful art of spin bowling against all kinds of batsmen. At the time when Pakistan was dominating the format of Test cricket, Saeed Ajmal used to rule the game for the men in green. Pakistan was amazingly successful in the presence of Saeed Ajmal because not only he did not allow the easy flow of runs, but took wickets consecutively to create tremendous pressure upon the opposition.
The Arrival of Yasir Shah
When Yasir Shah came to the circuit of Test cricket, there was tremendous hype revolving around him. Even the spin bowling king Shane Warne praised Shah upon his arrival in the Test format. He made his name at the top of the cricket headlines with his great bowling display for Pakistan in international cricket.
In a very less time, Shah became one of the most successful Test spinners for Pakistan. But as time did progress, Shah started losing his charm in the format. Outside the conditions which favorite the spin bowling heavily, Shah failed to make a great impact on Pakistan cricket. Pakistan will certainly miss the services of Yasir Shah in Pakistan vs New Zealand 2022 Test series.
When Cricket Shifted to Pakistan
When the matches shifted to Pakistan, the experts thought that Pakistan is going to have a big advantage in cricket at home. The Pakistan batting tracks are renowned for providing spectacular support for spin bowlers. The pitches in Pakistan provide turning tracks that are phenomenal for the players who bowl spin. In this case, there was a tremendous amount of happiness running around Pakistan due to cricket coming back. However, things have not been ideal as they were supposed to be looking when news of cricket coming back to Pakistan came to the circuit.
However, it was a fresh start, South Africa toured Pakistan for the Test series with a strong Test side. Pakistan played spectacular cricket and whitewashed the South African side with a margin of 2-0. The pitches in Pakistan supported the home side greatly and it appeared as if Pakistan were a tremendously strong side.
Australia decided to tour Pakistan following the T20 World Cup 2021. The side has the services of the most spectacular cricketers in the world in the form of David Warner, Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc. Australia played terrifically against Pakistan and won the Test series. Pakistan needed a convincing victory at home against the big side to make a mark in the World Test Championship. Series like Pakistan vs Australia and New Zealand vs Pakistan Test Series 2022 are significant for plans of Pakistan.
England vs Pakistan 2022 Test Series
England toured Pakistan for the three-match Test series which was important series for both sides. Pakistan needed redemption in terms of the Test cricket format and they needed to demonstrate their astonishing skillset on the ground. Pakistan has the services of phenomenal Test cricketers in the world. However, England made full strategy in the mentorship of Brendon McCullum to take full charge against the Pakistan side during the Test series.
McCullum carries the strategy of demonstrating the limited overs cricket display in the format of Test cricket. Well, this approach is not astonishing. But when it works, it is one of the best approaches in the world. England has completely changed the way of playing cricket following the arrival of McCullum.
Before the next Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series in 2023, Pakistan needed redemption. In the Test series vs England where the UK has a splendid roster of players, Pakistan was awaiting a huge challenge upfront. In the leadership of Babar Azam, Pakistan was going through a spectacular test and they needed the win to uplift their morale ahead of the Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series 2023. Pakistan needed a great set of spinners in the side who can perform the job by taking astonishing wickets on the field.
Miserable Spin Bowling
Pakistan selected Zahid Mehmood and Abrar Ahmed in the side who have been fine domestic performers. As the series came, Zahid could not make a huge impact on the field. England kept dominating Pakistan on the field in the Test format. The side kept performing the job and performed amazingly well against Pakistan in the side. In the batting department. Pakistan was facing huge problems as England kept dominating the batting attack of the Pakistan side.
There were no easy runs on the board for Pakistan. On the other hand, bowling in Pakistan was in a miserable state. England was demonstrating the display of limited overs cricket on the platform of Test cricket. The side was scoring easy runs. Not only the runs were coming easy in Pakistan vs England Test series, but England was also batting with a huge strike rate against Pakistan.
The Performance of Harry Brook
Harry Brook has vast experience playing in the conditions of Pakistan. He played league cricket for Lahore Qalandars and performed amazingly well against the franchise teams on the ground. He played a major role in the winning of Lahore Qalandars which won the Pakistan Super League for the first time.
Having experience playing in the Pakistan Super League, Harry Brook got a chance of playing in the T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022. Brook performed well and demonstrated why he is a wonderful choice for England in international cricket. Do you have any kind of interest in the T20I leagues?
Are you the person who follows all the league matches and knows which played has scored the most runs in the league? Furthermore, do you like to know which player has taken the most wickets in the league? If yes, then you could go to the best online cricket news sites in the United Kingdom to find out the numbers.
Brook has shown tremendous potential for England in international cricket. In the T20 World Cup 2022 final vs Pakistan, Brook batted amazingly well on the crease and showed his class on the huge stage. When Harry again came to Pakistan for the Pakistan vs England 2023 Test series, he scored runs in a tremendous amount of. According to ESPN, Harry Brook scored 468 runs having a batting average of 93 in the Test series. Such kind of performances in the Test series is commendable. Especially when the stage of the World Test Championship is set, the players deserve huge credit.
The Whitewash
England did not let Pakistan stand any chance in Pakistan vs England 2023 Test series. In the leadership of Ben Stokes who demonstrated his phenomenal impact on the field. Stokes whitewashed Pakistan with a margin of 3-0. It was a wonderful performance by the England side on the field considering how England was playing in the away conditions. It is true that Pakistan did have a huge advantage in the home Test series.
During the times of the United Arab Emirates when Pakistan played under the leadership of Misbah ul Haq, Pakistan showed more impact on the field. This time Pakistan needs redemption. They much-needed redemption in the Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023 Test series. Because losing the upcoming Test series could really have an impact on the class of Pakistan as a Test side.
What Pakistan Needs in Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023 Test Series
Pakistan has to come up with a full strategy in Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series. First, it was Australia that won the away Test series against Pakistan. Following the win of Australia, it was England that whitewashed Pakistan in the away Test series. Pakistan has removed Ramiz Raja from the chairman seat of the board. Pakistan has taken drastic changes in the past when the cricket team hit the lower peaks and the same thing is happening. It the time for Babar Azam to perform well and take better decisions as a captain in Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023 Test series. Furthermore, Babar Azam needs to score big hundreds in the Test matches.
There is nobody who could deny the fact that Babar Azam is one of the big things in cricket. The way he played in the format shows his spectacular class in all formats of the game. However, Babar needs to improve his come to come up to the level of the legends of cricket. The legends of cricket used to score big hundreds in the Test format.
The players did not fall on the score between 7o to 100 runs in the Test format. He needs to make a bigger impact. New Zealand is a tough side. There is no shadow of a doubt. In the presence of cricketers like Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Tim Southee, New Zealand is a tough side. The quality these cricketers possess on the field is just on a phenomenal level. They are not easy to deal with in the Test format.
Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023 Test Series: Naseem Shah is Key
In the absence of Shaheen Khan Afridi in the game of cricket, Shah has been proving and demonstrating his worth. He has become the frontline pacer of the Pakistan side. For Pakistan to perform well and fire in Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023 Test series, Naseem Shah needs to express a fiery display on the ground. Shah is someone who could swing the ball both ways to trouble the batsmen.
As Pakistan is going through extreme pressure, a ten-wicket haul contributing to a victory in Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series could calm Pakistan. Because right now Pakistan is going through a really tough time in the longest format of the game.
It is important to note that Naseem Shah is the youngest cricketer to take a Test hat-trick. This fact demonstrates his importance and significance for Pakistan in the Test format. The way he gets to the opposition with his amazing inswinger is just great. For Pakistan to perform well in the Test series. Shah needs to shatter the batting side of the Black Caps. The presence of Naseem Shah makes the bowling attack of Pakistan really strong.
Don’t Forget Abrar Ahmed
Abrar was showing phenomenal skills on the field in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. When he got to the side, the inclusion was Abrar was facing criticism. The experts were making the opinion that the selection of Abrar on the side is premature. He does not deserve a place in the side. In the debut game, Abrar took 7 wickets in the innings to start his career on a high note.
Taking wickets is not only a great thing in cricket. The way you deceive the batsmen while sending the batsmen back to the pavilion is what really matters in Test cricket. While nobody will deny the fact that players like Kane Williamson are astonishing players of spin bowling. But when the cricketer who has great varieties in the pocket, Williamson could face a tough challenge while facing Abrar on the field.
If Abrar manages to perform well in Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series, it could be a start of a new chapter in the story of Pakistan Test cricket. Pakistan needs a spinner who could carry the responsibility on the side like Yasir Shah. Shah remained the frontline spinner for Pakistan for some time and won the men in green matches in the longest format of the game.
He has been a phenomenal spinner. For Abrar, it is a tough responsibility to carry the legacy of Yasir Shah. But the process is step by step. Any type of great performance in Pakistan vs New Zealand could promote his spot as a fine Test cricketer in the side.
The Role of Saud Shakeel
Saul Shakeel has been performing amazingly well in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. For Pakistan to fire in the batting department during Pakistan vs England Test series, Shakeel needs to make an impact on the field. In Pakistan vs England series where the Pakistan side was miserable, Shakeel demonstrated his mettle on the crease after playing astonishing knocks. He scored four fifties in total against a great England Test side.
As the challenge of Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series awaits, Babar Azam needs the support of Saud Shakeel in the middle. Saud has a knack for playing the composed display of cricket on the crease. He often shows great composition on the field and does not allow an easy wicket for the opposition which becomes a great challenge.
In the Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series 2023 when New Zealand has players like Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee to stop Shakeel from firing, the encounter will be great to watch. Shakeel performs well while building the Test innings in the longest format. The way he plays Test cricket is the way of playing the game in the longest format of the game.
A double hundred in the game could prove that Pakistan could trust Saud Shakeel in the long run. Winning matches for Pakistan is important. Only the individual performance in the series might not work. While Saul could score a great number of runs on the board, the impact needs to be as same as the impact of Harry Brook in the Test series.
The Final Words
Pakistan is one of the great Test sides in the world. There is a wonderful variety of Test cricketers on the side. They are capable of demonstrating astonishing skillsets on the field. Pakistan needs to bring some changes in their game in the New Zealand vs Pakistan 2023 Test series. This is not how you are supposed to play cricket in your home. In the home series, the sides dominate and win against the big sides.
Pakistan needs to do the same. If Pakistan goes step by step and brings small changes during this Test series, that would be helpful. That would surely be the start of the journey of their redemption in the format of Test cricket. Do you love to follow Test cricket? If yes, then you could go to the best online cricket news sites in New Zealand to find out the numbers.
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