Pakistan wary of Kiwis as Test series begins tomorrow

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (left) and his New Zealand counterpart Kane Williamson unveil the trophy for the upcoming Test series (AFP)

Abu Dhabi - Opener Fakhar Zaman has been rested because of a knee problem

Pakistan have been unstoppable in the UAE but skipper Sarfraz Ahmed remain wary of New Zealand as the three-match Test series starts in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
"This series is going to be very tough. New Zealand have got many experienced bowlers and batsmen in their Test squad. They gave us a tough time in T20s and ODIs. So, we will have to put up a great show against them," Sarfraz said on the eve of the first Test match at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
He said the Kiwi pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee remained a threat in all formats and not just in T20s and ODIs. 
"They are senior performers in the Test scene. We have done our homework against them. We don't want to give them too many wickets."
Sarfraz noted that Pakistan's own spin-pace combo of Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas will be handful against New Zealand. 
Abbas took 17 wickets, including a 10-wicket match haul, in the 1-0 series win over Australia.
"We have a terrific bowling attack. Abbas bowled very well in the series against Australia but Yasir was not in good touch. But we are pinning hopes on Yasir as he is our main strike bowler. I expect him to deliver in this series."
Sarfraz put the onus on batsmen to deliver on the Abu Dhabi pitch.
"There is grass on the pitch. It hasn't dried up yet but it looks fine now. On these pitches you need to spend time in the middle," Sarfraz added.
Opener Fakhar Zaman has been rested because of a knee problem, but Imam-ul-Haq is back in the team and teen pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi is ready to wear his first Test cap.
Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said adaptability is the key to success against the seasoned Pakistanis in the UAE.
"Obviously, coming into Pakistan's home series naturally there is a lot of work to do in terms of the overseas sides adapting to the conditions as best as they can. This is a fresh series. They had a successful time against Australia. So it is important we try and take some of those lessons and play our best cricket. We need to learn quickly because we want to be playing our best cricket over here in these conditions," said the prolific Kiwi batsman. 
Williamson acknowledged that both Yasir and Abbas were outstanding bowlers.
"They have been bowling well for a long time. Yasir has been a regular member of the side and Abbas has been superb all around the world," he said.
Williamson noted that despite T20 and ODI results not going their way, they were confident of playing their best cricket in the Test matches. 
"Couple of games could have gone either way. The guys have been learning and building on their performances," he said.
Tom Blundell and Jeet Raval are back but in-form pacer Lockie Ferguson makes way for Neil Wagner and spinner William Somerville. 
"Obviously this is a different side and a different format, so it's important that we look to hit the ground running. The wicket is what you expect to be in this part of the world with huge amount of grass. It will perhaps assist spin bowlers later on in the game," Williamson added.

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