Can Pakistan recover from the heartbreaker in Abu Dhabi? or New Zealand Can move on from the highs of the thrilling win over Pakistan? That will be the challenge for both sides as they go head to head for the second of the three Test match series in Dubai starting Saturday.
Black Caps go into the game with a 1-0 lead, which they earned by beating pakistan for just four runs in thrilling match. New Zealand earned victory out of nowhere; Pakistan were cruising at 130 for 3 chasing 176, and ended up being bowled out for 171.
Pakistan vs New Zealand Live Cricket Scores
That was not the first time Pakistan missed out on an opportunity to win the game either. They bowled out New Zealand for just 153 in the first innings of the match, but failed to capitalise on the bowling effort to be skittled out for 227 themselves. It allowed New Zealand a slight entry into the game, which blew wide open by the time it ended.
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.
New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls said his team are more confident after the win.
“Obviously, it was an ideal start for us to win the first Test and we have the belief heading into the second Test,” said Nicholls who made a fighting 55 in New Zealand’s second innings in Abu Dhabi.
“We bounced back after not an ideal start and found ways in conditions that are foreign to us, so it was nice and has given us confidence heading into the second Test.”
“Pakistan will definitely look to bounce back so it’s for us to improve and to assess quickly and adjust at a different ground and different wicket,” said Nicholls.
Pakistan have called up Shaheen Shah Afridi — who took 7 wickets against England Lions in the four-day game in Abu Dhabi this week — but didn’t got chance in final eleven.
PTV Sports Live Streaming
You can watch Pakistan vs New Zealand 2nd test match live on PTV Sports live cricket. Sonyliv also live streaming PAK vs NZ test match on their website and app.
Pakistan and New Zealand Squads for 2nd Test
Pakistan Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Saad Ali, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Ish Sodhi, Will Somerville, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner
Umpires: Paul Reiffel (AUS) and Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG)
Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)