Pakistan in New Zealand, 2016 Full Schedule: All Matches Date and Time Table with Ground Details

The cricketing season is on us with India hosting a five-Test series at home against England, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2016 happening in other side of the subcontinent while Australia are struggling against South Africa at home in whites. Meanwhile, after tough tour of India, New Zealand are set to host Pakistan before the Asian side heads to Australia. The first of the two Tests begins on November 17 at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch followd by the second Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Both the teams have had a contrasting fortune of late. While Pakistan have tasted success, briefly staying at the top of the ICC Test rankings as the No. 1 Test team in the world before being toppled by Virat Kohli and co., New Zealand have had a poor time. They lost the two-Test series in South Africa in August 2016 before falling flat to India on road. This will be an enticing series between two teams with contrasting forms.

Pakistan are coming on the back of a brilliant 2-2 draw against England in England and followed it up with another prolific series win over West Indies at United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, they were challenged in their first day-night encounter against West Indies and also lost the last Test by five wickets. This must have exposed some chinks in their armour before they turn up against New Zealand in tough swinging and windy conditions. This young Pakistani side under the inspirational leadership of Misbah-ul-Haq still should be in confidence before they embark on a tough tour of tour of New Zealand followed by Australia tour which will be a litmus test for visitors.

New Zealand, the hosts of the two-match series, have plenty to worry about ahead of the series. After a string of losses, they are under tremendous pressure to do well at home. A lot of places in the Test team were under serious consideration. Martin Guptill, who was not a certain starter for India Tests in the first place, did little in the three-Test series to make a case for Pakistan Tests. He has rightly dropped after a dismal run of scores and replaced by the Indian-born Jeet Raval, who should have ideally played against India too.

Other changes New Zealand made to their squad was calling another uncapped player all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme and Todd Astle. The other players New Zealand have dropped from the squad for India Tests besides Guptill are Doug Bracewell, Jeetan Patel, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig. Keeping the conditions in mind, the spin brigade has been either dropped or rested.

Coming to this series, Pakistan will kick-start their tour with a four-day practice match against the New Zealand ‘A’ side from Friday, November 11 at the Saxton Oval in Nelson. Paksitan’s seamers will also cherish the swing and conditions on offer but it will depend on how they exploit it and if their batsmen are up for the challenge as well.

The first Test at Christchurch will be followed by the second and the final Test of the series at the Seddon Park in Hamilton from November 25. The record for New Zealand on the first Test venue stands at par by winning and losing one in two encounters. Talking about the hosts’ performance in Hamilton, where the second Test is scheduled, Kane Williamson’s side has won 9 and lost 6 in 21 encounters.

Pakistan will play their first ever match in Christchurch while on Hamilton they boost of a good record, winning two and losing one in four encounters. An interesting series is surely upon us with a strong team at home and unpredictable tourists at their disposal.

Pakistan in New Zealand, 2016 Features

NZ's series win against PAK after 31 years, visitor's dramatic collapse and other compelling stats highlights from 2nd Test at Hamilton
Abhishek Kumar November 29, 2016 3:35 PM IST
16th Test ton for Ross Taylor: He is only one hundred away from levelling with Crowe in terms of most Test tons by a New
Wicketless Yasir, NZ's biggest win over PAK at home and other stats highlights from 1st Test
Abhishek Kumar November 20, 2016 2:08 PM IST
4 catches taken by debutant Jeet Raval are the most by any New Zealand fielder on debut at home.
Clinical efficiency of seamers helps New Zealand ‘bounce’ back to winning ways in familiar conditions
Chinmay Jawalekar November 20, 2016 1:27 PM IST
Pakistani batsmen have invariably struggled against bounce, seam and swing. So that had to be the recipe for New Zealand’s success at the Hagley Oval.
NZ vs PAK, 1st Test: Key clashes from series opener
Aditya Sahay November 16, 2016 8:47 PM IST
Pakistan side, under the inspirational leadership of Misbah-ul-Haq, will have another task in hand when they face off Kane Williamson's New Zealand before touring Australia
New Zealand vs Pakistan 1st Test: Likely XI for Misbah-ul-Haq & Co
Pramod Ananth November 16, 2016 8:33 PM IST
Pakistan have been in good form in the longest format and will look to dominate New Zealand as well.

Pakistan vs Australia: Steven Smith says, hosts pace attack will test tourist’s batsmen
Agence France-Presse December 14, 2016 12:36 PM IST
Steven Smith has yet to finalise his team and hasn't ruled out playing with four pacemen at the expense of spinner Nathan Lyon, but he
ICC Test Rankings: PAK slips to 4th after losing to NZ
Press Releases November 29, 2016 2:35 PM IST
Pakistan has slipped from second to the fourth position in the ICC Test Team Rankings after its 2-0 loss to New Zealand.
PAK’s sensational collapse hands NZ 138-run win in 2nd Test
CricketCountry Staff November 29, 2016 11:26 AM IST
New Zealand's 2-0 win over Pakistan is Kane Williamson's first series win as captain at home.