New Zealand v Pakistan 1st Test – 25/12/2020

New Zealand v Pakistan 1st Test Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Predictions – 25/12/2020

New Zealand will look to continue their fine form when they take on Pakistan in the first of two test matches.

Some big wins for the hosts could see them take a big stride towards the World Test Championship final.

Discover our free cricket tips and predictions for this fixture.

New Zealand v Pakistan 1st Test – Match Preview

Hosts New Zealand have been enjoying themselves across all formats now back on home soil.

They dominated the West Indies before Pakistan arrived and quickly followed that up with T20I success against Babar Azam’s men.

Pakistan have had a tough time of it in the white-ball matches after a stuttering display against Zimbabwe last month. They will be hoping a return to the longest format will spark an upturn in form.

Where: Bay Oval, Tauranga

When: Friday, 25 December 2020

Start time: 03:30 IST (22:00 GMT day before)

Pitch conditions: New Zealand have only played one previous Test match at this venue when they dished out defeat to England last year. The pitch looks a fair one for both seam bowlers and batsmen.

Weather conditions: We are set for an overcast day in Tauranga. There is no chance of rain but there will be plenty of cloud cover and temperatures will be just above 20 degrees.

New Zealand v Pakistan 1st Test – Latest Odds

New Zealand are the favourites to win this one. They can be backed at 1.33 with 22Bet

Pakistan are priced at 6.0 with the same betting site. The draw is available at 6.5.

New Zealand v Pakistan 1st Test – Squad News

Kane Williamson is back to captain New Zealand after time away for the birth of his first child.

Devon Conway drops out but Will Young keeps his place. Daryl Mitchell is the pace-bowling all-rounder in to cover the injured Colin de Grandhomme

Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq have both been ruled out of this match with injury.

Mohammad Rizwan will captain the side in Babar’s absence.

Uncapped 24-year-old Imran Butt has been included after he starred in the 2019-20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Faheem Ashraf has returned to the Test squad after two years and Haris Sohail is back after he pulled out fo the England tour amid Covid-19 concerns.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan is out with a thigh injury.

New Zealand v Pakistan – Squads

New Zealand v Pakistan 1st Test – Betting Tips and Predictions

It is hard to look past New Zealand after some of their recent performances.

They also have plenty of motivation given how important a white-wash might be to their chances of securing a World Test Championship final place.

However, their price for an overall win isn’t very appealing from a betting point of view. That’s why looking at other markets is a great way to find better value.

Jamieson to be Top Bowler

Pace bowler Kyle Jamieson has been in impressive form for New Zealand in recent outing and looks a great bet to maintain that in this Test.

He took seven wickets in the last Test against the West Indies after bagging four in the first Test. Those showings came on the back of a five-for in the first innings against India at the start of the year.

Jamieson can be backed at 4.33 with bet365 to be New Zealand’s first innings top bowler.

Latham can Outshine Williamson

Picking Tom Latham to be the top batsman for the Black Caps could be the value play in this one.

Williamson has been in fine form himself but is returning to the fold after time away with his family. Meanwhile, Latham has been impressing recently and could be a good pick for this contest.

He hit 86 in this month’s first Test against the Windies after two half-centuries in the final Test against India back in February. His last appearance at this venue saw him hit an unbeaten 32 against India in an ODI.

Latham is priced at 4.5 with 22Bet to be his team’s top first innings batsman.

Back Azhar Ali for Top Pakistan Batsman

Pakistan have been short of Test match action since their trip to England in the summer. Their openers had a tough time finding consistency in that series as impressive knocks were quickly followed by early dismissals.

With new skipper Babar Azam missing, there is only really Azhar who comes here in any sort of Test-match form with the bat, baring Mohammad Rizwan.

Azhar struck 141 in the last Test against England and followed that up with a half-century in a warm-up match against New Zealand A ahead of this clash.

Throw in some solid performances for Central Punjab in-between and he looks worth backing. He is priced at 3.4 to be Pakistan’s top first innings batsman with 22Bet.

Make sure you take a look at our round-up of the best free bets for this match.