New Zealand quietly confident of defying Pakistan and history

The hosts in the UAE have not lost to the Black Caps since 1985 in an away game but aim to be ‘focused’ against their own inconsistency.

Trent Boult, left, and Tim Southee are bowlers who have done well on slower surfaces and lend hope to New Zealand. Michael Bradley / AFP

ABU DHABI // There have been several certainties relating to Pakistan cricket – one was losing to Australia, the other is beating New Zealand.

Of the 20 Test series the two have played, Pakistan has won 13 and New Zealand two.

Pakistan has won nearly half the 50 Tests between them and New Zealand seven.

Whether the times have been good, bad or ordinary, Pakistan have beaten New Zealand – convincingly, improbably and every way in between. It is similar to the modern dominance Australia held over Pakistan.

New Zealand have not won a Test series against Pakistan since 1985 and their last away Test series win against Pakistan was in 1969/70.

Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, said that with the first of two Tests beginning today in Abu Dhabi, that statistic does not matter.

Only three of the squad were alive when New Zealand last beat Pakistan and none of them was of an age to remember it.

It may even help, as it makes for a bit of motivation but none of the baggage.

“You’re always aware of the history of the game and very respectful of those who have been before us,” McCullum said.

“We’re very aware of those statistics, but we can only control what we can control and that’s what is in front of us over the next 15 days of cricket.

“We’ll do our absolute best to try and rectify that statistic. It may not pan out, we may get beaten here, but I’m pretty sure we’ll put up a very good ­performance.”

They stand a decent chance because, under the radar (as is the cricket team’s style), they have rapidly improved as a Test side over the past 18 months, although their position in the rankings – seventh – is not yet indicative of that.

They have lost just one of their past six series, beating India at home and, impressively, West Indies away in that time.

They are the kind of team that can trouble Pakistan – limited and adept at playing a waiting game. Their opening pacemen, Tim Southee and Trent Boult, are well-equipped for slower surfaces.

“I wouldn’t change those two for any around the world,” McCullum said. “They’re young guys but what they’ve achieved recently as a pair is nothing short of amazing and it has allowed us to attack.

“They bowl a fuller length than some of the bowlers seen here, and they give the ball an opportunity to swing and, if it doesn’t swing, they have the ability to contain for a period of time.

“They are smart bowlers who look how to work guys out over a long period of time.”

Pakistan might worry that a dip is due given they have put two such startlingly consistent performances together back-to-back. It is not often any Pakistan side, from any era, has managed to prolong that.

“After winning the first Test against Australia that’s what we talked about in the team meetings, and we were focused that we need to repeat that performance,” said Misbah-ul-Haq.

“It’s the same again this series, we don’t want to be reluctant and lazy. We really want to be focused and go with the same sort of intent.”

Key battles

• Southee and Boult vs Pakistan’s top-order Pakistan’s success against Australia was built on scarcely believable top-order solidity. But Southee and Boult are better in these conditions, likelier to better exploit the new ball and more penetrative with the older one. Younis Khan is in the form of his life, as are Azhar Ali, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed, but this pair will test them.

• Babar and Yasir vs New Zealand’s batting

Saeed Ajmal who? Not really, but the point made by Babar and Shah in the last series was an emphatic one – they took 26 wickets between them. Babar especially was outstanding and it was the opinion of his coach Waqar Younis ahead of the Test that if he continues pitching it right, the tourists will have it tough.

• Favourites vs underdogs

Pre-series billings do not usually count for much but this is an interesting one. Pakistan do not often go into a series as the favourites and New Zealand go into pretty much every series as the lesser-fancied side. Pakistan will have to cope with being the side expected to push for a win in the series, as New Zealand are likely to be happier to draw. It may shape the series.

Key stats

15 – If Pakistan wins, it will give Misbah-ul-Haq his 15th Test victory as captain, making him the most successful Pakistan captain for wins

4 – The number of Tests New Zealand have won against Pakistan in 30 years, since they won a home series 2-0 in 1985.

484 – The number of runs Younis Khan has in six Tests against New Zealand, with one hundred and three fifties, and the Kiwis are catching him in superb form.

Verdict

New Zealand are low-key but expect a few surprises. The pitch looks much as it did last week against Australia but their bowlers are likelier to trouble Pakistan. They also have a better balance in their attack than Australia. The buzz around Pakistan’s camp is almost visible at present and if their attack can bowl as they have done recently, they should win it. But it is a young attack, due a poor game.

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