Rival captains Misbah-ul Haq and Brendon McCullum hope to win the toss and enjoy a kick-start to the series-deciding third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand starting in Sharjah on Wednesday.
Pakistan piled up 566-3 in the first Test in Abu Dhabi after winning the toss and then spun out New Zealand twice for a comprehensive 248-run win to take a 1-0 lead.
Despite the odds New Zealand staged an impressive comeback in the second Test in Dubai, winning the toss and dictating terms before Pakistan, set a target of 261 on the final day, salvaged a draw to set up an intriguing finale.
Pakistan’s spinners — left armer Zulfiqar Babar (13 wickets in two Tests) and leggie Yasir Shah (11) — will hold the key.
But McCullum said his team can take confidence from the improved performance in the second Test.
“We would have loved to have won the second Test,” said McCullum.
New Zealand may bolster their batting by bringing in in-form Luke Ronchi for Jimmy Neesham who has struggled with just 39 runs in four innings.
Pakistan missed Mohammad Hafeez’s all-round skills in the second Test as his off-spin provides them the option of a fifth bowler.
He is likely to recover from a hamstring injury which forced him out of the second Test and could replace Taufeeq Umar who flopped in Dubai.
The two teams also play two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals after the Tests.
Teams (from):
Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sarfraz Ahmed, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah.
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.
Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Tv umpire: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
