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Christchurch: Pakistan and New Zealand both claimed the high ground on the eve of the first Test in Christchurch on Thursday.
Just days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake rattled the city and devastated parts of the South Island, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq looked to cash in on a perceived lack of confidence in the New Zealand ranks after their disastrous tour of India, where they suffered a series whitewash.
But although Pakistan are on a high after crushing the West Indies last month, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson claimed his side was rejuvenated by returning to home conditions and familiar seamer-friendly wickets.
After being flummoxed by Indian spin in all three Tests in October, Williamson said New Zealand's challenge was to pick themselves up.
When New Zealand last played at Hagley Oval, former skipper McCullum smashed a world record 54-ball century against Australia in a brutal onslaught that produced 145 runs off 79 deliveries.
Williamson scored seven off 69 in the same innings.
New Zealand, who have not won a series against Pakistan since 1985, will delay finalising their side as late as possible although it has been confirmed opener Jeet Raval will make his debut.
One of four pace bowlers in the squad is likely to be omitted to make room for leg-spinner Todd Astle.
Misbah said the Pakistan line-up was already confirmed but he was giving nothing away before the toss other than to say seamer-friendly conditions would not hinder them.
Pakistan have their own motivation, having lost their top world ranking and Misbah said they were keen to get it back and despite New Zealand pitches not being renowned for taking turn, his ace remained spinner Yasir Shah.
Yasir, with 116 wickets at 27.04 from 19 Tests "can get something out of any conditions." Misbah said.
New Zealand struggled against spin in India where senior batsman Ross Taylor, with a career average of 46.24, could only average less than 15 in six innings.
Teams from
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt.), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Jeet Raval, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (wk)
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt.), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan and Imran Khan
Match facts
November 17-21, 2016
Start time 1030 local (2130 GMT Wednesday)
