Misbah-ul-Haq can become Pakistan’s most successful Test captain in the three-match series against New Zealand starting on Sunday.
The 40-year-old Misbah, who has led Pakistan in 31 Tests, needs just one more victory to surpass the team record of 14 victories, shared by Imran Khan and Javed Miandad.
Pakistan selectors have retained the same team that earned their first Test series win over Australia in 20 years by whitewashing Michael Clarke’s side 2-0 last Monday.
Given their recent record on the slow wickets of the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan could not have asked for better non-subcontinental opponents than New Zealand. Pakistan have won six of the past seven Tests in the UAE against strong teams like South Africa, England and Australia, losing just one to the Proteas.
“I am confident that we will play good cricket against New Zealand, and we should play that way,” Misbah had said soon after Pakistan recorded their biggest victory in terms of runs, beating Australia by 356 runs at Abu Dhabi.
The Pakistan captain silenced critics who accused him of being defensive by smashing Test cricket’s fastest 50 before equalling Sir Viv Richards’ world record of a 56-ball century.
Misbah and Azhar Ali scored centuries in each innings of the second Test against Australia, while Younis Khan hit three successive tons including a double hundred at Abu Dhabi.
New Zealand have to turn around their poor test history against Pakistan, winning twice in 20 series contested between the two nations. Pakistan have won 13 series while five have been drawn.
The Black Caps’ last series victory against Pakistan came in New Zealand in 1985 – a 2-0 result.
Pakistan (from): Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imran Khan, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Yasir Shah, Ehsan Adil, Zulfiqar Babar.
New Zealand (from): 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.