Top 5 players to watch out for in the Pakistan-New Zealand Test series
As Pakistan prepare to take on New Zealand, there is a settled feel about their line-up in Tests. They haven't lost a series since August 2014 and look like a strong outfit with an ever stronger leader in Misbah-ul-Haq at the helm.
The controversy around Amir's comeback and Hafeez's action is old news now and Pakistan come on the back of having played some very good Test cricket in recent times. They may have lost against West Indies in their final Test, but it wasn't before they had won the series already.
The Kiwis, meanwhile, had a horrendous tour of India where they were humbled in the Tests, clueless against India's spinners and a wobbling middle order adding to the cause. But in home conditions, New Zealand are a team to beat as they showed in the 2015 World Cup. They have some really good names in their line-up and despite being overwhelmed by India, should take on Pakistan with confidence.
Let us take a look through five players to watch out for in this series from either side.
#5 Mohammad Amir
The controversial left arm seamer has not repeated his fairy tale run prior to his ban, after returning to the Pakistani set-up. However, he has shown enough promise and produced lethal spells in between pedestrian performances to show that the talent is still there.
He had just 6 wickets to show for in the two Tests that he played against the Windies and was certainly not performing to potential. In England, he picked up two five-wicket hauls and looked like the seamer Pakistan wanted him to be.
A return to swinging conditions that suits his style of bowling might be just what Amir needs. Given New Zealand's batsmen are on the back of some mediocre performances, Amir's probing swing could pose a problem.