Pakistan will play New Zealand in the first match of the three test match series at Dunedin on Tuesday. This series comes closely on the heels of the three ODIs and the two T20Is that had been played between the two sides in the Middle East. The ODI series had been won by the Kiwis, whereas the Pakistan had easily won in the T20Is. This test series should prove to be a nice decider.

Mohammad Yousuf will be leading the Pakistani side for the first time, not as a stand-in captain. With Younis Khan out of the side, the Pakistanis will miss an important middle order batsman in conditions which will prove difficult to play in for teams from Asia. Yousuf's wish of having Misbah-ul-Haq in the side was not granted, and that does mean that apart from Shoaib Malik, the middle order does not inspire too much confidence.

Fawad Alam had opened the innings in Sri Lanka, and apart from him there are two openers in Imran Farhat and Salman Butt. So, it would be interesting to see who does the captain get in. Alam will give him an extra option of bowling as well, and that is one reason, one believes that Alam could get a look in as an opener. The fact is, his inexperience as both, an opener and in New Zealand, could go against him.

The bowling will be shared by the likes of Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, and in all probabilities, Mohammad Asif, who should enjoy the conditions in the country. It will be a tough call for the captain between Danish Kaneria and Saeed Ajmal. Ajmal has been in tremendous form in the shorter variety, whereas Kaneria hasn't had too much cricket in recent times, which could tilt the balance in favour of the former.

For New Zealand, Shane Bond and Darryl Tuffey could see themselves play their first test match after returning back from the Indian Cricket League.Daniel Vettori is fully fit from his injury and will lead the side, and the bowling attack, whereas Kyle Mills misses out thanks to his fitness woes.

The Kiwi batting does look a little thin as well, with not too many in the best of forms. Ross Taylor would look to convert his good batting form in the fifty and twenty over versions into the test matches as well, whereas Peter Fulton's inclusion into the side means that there isn't much that the selectors have in terms of great back-up.

We could be in for a rather exciting test match between two evenly matched teams in those conditions.

Tag :- Mohammad Aamer   New Zealand   Pakistan   Ross Taylor   Shane Bond   Shoaib Malik   Younis Khan