Rizwan confident ahead of New Zealand Tests despite 'superstar' Babar's absence

Pakistan stand-in captain for Tests Muhammad Rizwan believes they will give New Zealand a run for their money when both sides take each other on in the first match of the series.

Pakistan are currently training at Mount Maunganui for the December 26 Test.

“We practiced for four hours today and our bowlers and batsmen look in good rhythm,” said Rizwan as quoted by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

During the T20I series, which Pakistan lost 2-1, Pakistan Shaheens won the one-off, four-day practice match against the New Zealand A side and Rizwan says players are taking confidence from that victory.

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He also compared the T20I squad with the Test squad saying: “Our Test squad is more experienced than the T20I squad. We have the likes of Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam and Haris Sohail at our disposal in batting. Meanwhile, we have Test specialist bowlers like Muhammad Abbas, Yasir Shah and a young Shaheen Afridi in our side.”

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is out of the first Test due to a thumb fracture and Rizwan says they’ll miss the prolific batsman when the Test series starts.

“We will definitely miss our superstar Babar bhai, but we have still got depth in our batting and bowling department. Babar is in training even with the injury, which is praiseworthy. Meanwhile, he also helps other batsmen even when not playing for Pakistan,” he said.

Pakistan lost the first two T20I but made a comeback in the last match to beat New Zealand and avoid a whitewash and Rizwan says the confidence from that will help them during Tests. “We will give a good challenge to the New Zealand side. We will try our best,” he concluded.