Pakistan wins toss, elects to bat against New Zealand

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat on a dry and slow wicket in the first Test against New Zealand on MondayPakistan made three changes from the team which was beaten by England at the same venue last week and lost the series 30Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was recalled for his first test since 2018 after Pakistan rested its all format wicketkeeper Mohammad RizwanMir Hamza was also drafted into the playing XI after the leftarm fast bowler played his only Test against Australia in 2018 in Abu Dhabi Hamza replaced allrounder Faheem AshrafOpening batter ImamulHaq also returned to the side after missing out Pakistans eightwicket loss against England due to a hamstring injury Shan Masood will move down the order at No 3 as Azhar Ali retired from test cricket after playing his last test against EnglandIts a new day new series and we hope to do well against New Zealand Pakistan captain Babar Azam said at the tossThe pitch looks very dry and we will try to put runs on boardTim Southee is leading New Zealand for the first time in a Test match after captain Kane Williamson stepped down from the captaincy before the Black Caps first tour to Pakistan since 2003Also readPakistan pile on runs but England still far aheadNew Zealand was due to play a limitedovers series in Pakistan last year but abandoned its tour just hours before the toss in the first ODI due to security concernsSouthee also expected the wicket will suit spinners and loaded his playing XI with three spinners iquest Ajaz Patel Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell with Neil Wagner the other seaming optionSodhi who has remodeled his bowling action will be playing his first test in four years while leftarm spinner Patel picked up all 10 wickets in a Test innings against India last yearPakistan Abdullah Shafique ImamulHaq Shan Masood Babar Azam captain Saud Shakeel Sarfaraz Ahmed Agha Salman Nauman Ali Mohammad Wasim Mir Hamza Abrar AhmedNew Zealand Tom Latham Devon Conway Kane Williamson Henry Nicholls Daryl Mitchell Tom Blundell Michael Bracewell Ish Sodhi Tim Southee captain Neil Wagner Ajaz PatelThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever