SHARJAH, UAE: New Zealand’s bowling coach Shane Bond yesterday said the team was looking forward to pitting their wits against the in-form Pakistani spin attack in the forthcoming three match Test series.
Pakistan are currently in a strong position to beat Australia 2-0 in their ongoing contest thanks largely to the effectiveness of their spinners.
Bond admitted Pakistan will be a tough opponent on the dry pitches of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which will help slow bowlers.
“I think this is a really good challenge for us,” Bond told reporters.
“It has been a good last year for us and Pakistan are also playing well. This is going to be real good measure of us as a team and so we are looking forward to it,” added the former bowling ace.
The Black Caps will start the tour with a three-day warm-up game against Pakistan ‘A’ — a second string team — in Sharjah on Monday.
The first Test starts in Abu Dhabi on November 9.
Bond, who played 18 Tests
in which he took 87 wickets and 82 one-day games, taking
147 wickets, for New Zealand, admitted Pakistan were playing well.
“Pakistan as a team have been difficult for a long time. They are in their own conditions though they are not in Pakistan,” said the 39-year-old. AFP
