Pak vs NZ 2nd Test - Bond's Absence Pakistan Eye Square The Series

Wellington: Shane Bond's latest abdominal injury has undeniably given a boost to the Pakistan cricket team ahead of the Basin Reserve Test that begins here from Thursday.

With none of the senior players keen on batting at the number three slot, the Pakistan cricket camp is in a quandary over who to send in the crucial position during the second Test against New Zealand starting, on Thursday, in Wellington.

According to sources in the team, even Misbah-ul-Haq, who has been rushed to reinforce the team in New Zealand, is not keen to play at the number three position.

The number three position has been left vacant after Younis Khan pulled out of the tour.

Younis, who was replaced as captain by Muhammad Yousuf, has been playing at the number three position in Test matches for the last few years with considerable success and scored a triple hundred in Karachi this year against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan tried young Fawad Alam at this position in the first Test in Dunedin but he failed and the team also lost the match.

Pakistan will now be hoping to square the series after lossing the first test by 32 runs.

Captain Mohammad Yousuf described Bond as one of the best bowlers he had faced in his 83-test career in the aftermath of New Zealand's triumph at University Oval.

"New Zealand will miss him dearly. It's bad luck, this is a very, very crucial test match against Pakistan"

Bond tormented Pakistan's top three in both innings and twice had the measure of Umar Akmal, the teenage debutant who guided his side within range of a comeback victory.

Team news

New Zealand: Chris Martin will front the attack, a responsibility he has performed with distinction during Bond's regular absences. And Daryl Tuffey finally plays his first test in five years after being on the fringes of selection since the tour of Sri Lanka in August.

Kiwis captain Daniel Vettori has adapted to life with Bond in rehabilitation but the latest setback is still demoralising given his virtuoso performance at University Oval.

Squad (likely): Brendon McCullum (w), Chris Martin, Daniel Flynn, Daniel Vettori (c), Grant Elliott, Iain O'Brien, Martin Guptill, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Shane Bond, Tim McIntosh

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq replace to Khurram Manzoor in Pakistan team but question is, can he played at No.3 position.

Squad (likely): Fawad Alam, Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal (w), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Yousuf (c), Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul

Pitch & conditions
The pitch, once the rain clears and the covers are removed, is expected to appear custom made for a bowler of Bond's pace and guile.

Stats and trivia

Pakistan and New Zealand have played out just two draws in their last 17 Tests.
New Zealand have not beaten Pakistan in a Test series home or away, since 1984-85, when they won a series in New Zealand 2-0.

Match facts
Thursday December 03 - Monday December 07, 2009
Start time: 12:00 local time (23:00 GMT pre day), 04:00 Pak

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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