- Tim Southee, captain of New Zealand, won the toss and elected to bat first.
- Pakistan have reinserted Hassan Ali and Naseem Shah into playing XI.
- Matt Henry, who had not played in a Test since June of 2017.
PAK vs NZ: The second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand is being played at National Bank Cricket Arena, and Pakistan has reinserted Hassan Ali and Naseem Shah into the playing XI (NBCA).
Tim Southee, captain of New Zealand, won the toss and elected to bat first on a field that seemed to have changed slightly from the three Tests played here in 2017.
After a change in leadership at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the much-maligned playing surfaces from the previous season became a major topic of conversation. Pakistan became the first team in cricket history to lose four consecutive matches at home. This was due to the dead tracks that greatly benefited batters.
Pakistan rested injured international cricket players Hassan and Naseem for a match on a bouncy track, bringing in spinner Nauman Ali and all-rounder Mohammad Wasim Jr.
However, New Zealand bolstered their pace assault by recalling Matt Henry, who had not played in a Test since June of 2017.
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