KARACHI: New Zealand squad has begun their training on Friday, a day after they arrived in Pakistan, for the first Test of the two-match series against the home side commencing on December 26. 

Kiwis under the leadership of captain Tim Southee held their first training session at National Bank Cricket Arena, the venue for the opening Test.

According to the details, the coaches and team management assessed the pitch keenly, which will host its second Test match within a week. Earlier England played their final Test of the three-match series in Karachi and thrashed the home team comprehensively by eight wickets inside four days.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan squad will report at the team’s hotel today and will begin their training on Saturday.

The Karachi Test, starting on Monday, will mark the first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand on the former’s soil after 20 years. The trophy unveiling ceremony for the Test series will be held on Sunday.

Test Squads

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood

New Zealand: Tim Southee (c), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

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