NZ openers depart early batting in first test

New Zealand were 36/2 while batting first against Pakistan on first day of first test in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Pacer Mohammad Abbas had Jeet Raval out cheaply for 7, and spinner Yasir Shah removed Tom Latham for 13 in the first session of the day.

Fit-again New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat in the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Williamson missed the last one-day international in Dubai on Sunday with a groin injury.

New Zealand handed a Test debut to 30-year-old left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, leaving out paceman Tim Southee.

Pakistan’s opener Imamul Haq returned to the side after missing the second Test against Australia in Abu Dhabi with a finger injury.

The second is in Dubai from November 24-28 and the third in Abu Dhabi from December 3-7.

Teams:
Pakistan:
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imamul Haq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hassan Ali

New Zealand:
Kane Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Latham, BJ Watling, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner

Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG) TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS) Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)