All Eyes on Vettori in Final Pakistan-New Zealand Test

Sharjah: Veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori's comeback will be the focus in the series-deciding third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand starting in Sharjah on Wednesday.

New Zealand have included Vettori in the eleven in their bids to level the series which they trail 1-0 after losing the first Test by 248 runs in Abu Dhabi and drawing the second in Dubai.

The 35-year-old Vettori, who has 360 wickets, played the last of his 112 Tests (one Test for ICC World XI and the rest for New Zealand) in July 2012 and has since been sidelined due to a back injury.

Skipper Brendon McCullum confirmed Vettori will replace Jimmy Neesham in the side.

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq admitted Vettori's inclusion showed New Zealand's aspiration to level the series.

Besides Vettori, the toss will also be a key factor as the team winning the toss dictated terms in the first two Tests.

Pakistan piled up 566-3 after winning the toss and then spun out New Zealand twice for a comprehensive win.

Despite the odds, New Zealand staged an impressive comeback in the second Test in Dubai, winning the toss and dictating terms before Pakistan, set a target of 261 on the final day, salvaged a draw to set up an intriguing finale.

Pakistan's spinners -- left armer Zulfiqar Babar (13 wickets in two Tests) and leggie Yasir Shah (11) -- will hold the key.

Teams from:

Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling (wk), Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.

Pitch and conditions
The pitch at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium is expected to be low and slow, which means the side winning the toss could opt to bat. The weather is expected to be dry and hot for the duration of the Test.

Stats and trivia

• Daniel Vettori will become New Zealand's most capped Test player. He is currently tied with Stephen Fleming (111 Test) on that list. Overall, Vettori's career tally of 112 games includes one for the ICC World XI.
• Before the last Test match at Sharjah in January 2014, Saeed Ajmal called for more assistance to spinners from the pitch.

Match facts
November 26-30, 2014
Start time 10:00 local (06:00 GMT)