Match: New Zealand v Pakistan, 1st Test
Date: 17 - 21 November
Time: 5:30am SGT/3am IST/9:30pm GMT (Wednesday)
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
TV Channel: In Singapore, there is no live TV coverage.
Live Streaming: Sky Go
Overview
New Zealand host Pakistan in the first of the two-Test series in Christchurch from 17 November days after 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the nation.
The hosts head into the series on the back of a 3-0 whitewash they suffered in India against Virat Kohli's men. New Zealand batsmen struggled to make runs in testing conditions and their middle order woes were highlighted by the Indian spinners, who were on top of their game.
New Zealand overall are having a woeful period in 2016 as they have lost six of their nine matches in the ongoing year. Their only two wins came against Zimbabwe at home while they struggled on the road against Australia and South Africa.
However, coach Mike Henson reportedly believes his team is ready to put the bad memories behind and start afresh against Pakistan. However, New Zealand will be without all-rounder Mitchell Santner due to injury concerns for the first Test.
On the other hand, Misbah-ul-Haq's men recently rose to the top spot in ICC rankings before they were dethroned by India. They have been unbeaten in Tests since October 2014, a streak which includes wins against Australia, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Pakistan also came up with a spirited show in their England tour earlier this year and managed a 2-2 draw.
Azhar Ali's return to form at the top will be a boost for the visitors' batting order, who have capable batsmen of the likes of Younis Khan, Sami Aslam, Misbah, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed.
Also, with green tops on offer, the series will be a battle between talented pacers from both the sides. Trent Boult, who finished the India series with 10 wickets, is key along with Tim Southee and Matt Henry for the hosts.
On the flipside, New Zealand have to be wary about the Pakistani pace battery, consisting Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali, which "suits all conditions" in order to prevent humiliation at home.
TV Schedule
MIddle East: OSN Sports 4
UAE: OSN Sports
US: Willow TV
UK: Sky Sports
New Zealand: SKY Sport 1
Team News
New Zealand
Possible XI: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Todd Astle, Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling (wk), Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Matt Henry.
Pakistan
Possible XI: Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Sharjeel Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan.
