A style of cricket named for one of New Zealand’s most successful players will be at the back of Kiwi minds when they take on Pakistan in a two-match Test series beginning next week, their head coach said yesterday.
England humiliated Pakistan 3-0 in a series that ended on Tuesday playing “Bazball” - an aggressive style named for their imported coach Brendon “Baz” McCullum, who played 101 tests for New Zealand.
The Kiwis are next to take on Pakistan, with the first Test starting in Karachi on Monday, and the second in Multan on January 3.
“I think there’s no doubt that England are changing the face of Test cricket a little bit,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead told a press conference yesterday when asked about “Bazball”. “I think all teams will be thinking a little bit around how England play and the successes that they’ve had in this past year. So that’s exciting for them and, I think, it’s exciting for Test cricket.”
Despite Pakistan’s thrashing at the hands of England, Stead said they would not treat the home team lightly.
“We are certainly not underestimating Pakistan at all in their home conditions,” said Stead. “I think spin will take a bigger part than we are probably used to normally, and reverse swing will also be there.”
New Zealand have only won two of 22 Tests in Pakistan, but have won their last three series - once at home, and twice on neutral ground in the United Arab Emirates.
Stead backed fast bowler Tim Southee to be an able replacement as skipper for Kane Williamson, who resigned from the captaincy ahead of the tour but is still in the squad.
“Tim’s got a great cricketing brain and we’re looking forward to the way that he manages the side through the series,” he said.
“Kane will still be a great leader in our group.”
The teams will also play three one-day internationals on January 10, 12 and 14 - all in Karachi.

Thunder terminate Farooqi’s deal following investigation
Big Bash League (BBL) side Sydney Thunder said yesterday they have terminated fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi’s contract after a “behaviour” incident led to an investigation by Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit.
Afghanistan’s Farooqi, who was signed in November as a replacement for David Willey, picked up five wickets in four matches for Thunder. His contract was terminated after a hearing held by Cricket Australia’s (CA) Conduct Commissioner. The club did not provide details about the incident.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
“The club received a complaint about the behaviour of Farooqi following an incident last Thursday and referred the matter to Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit for investigation,” Thunder said in a statement.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said all employees were held to a “high standard of behaviour and accountability”.
“The behaviours displayed by Fazalhaq Farooqi sit outside our values and it was determined that his contract be terminated,” Germon said. “Our focus now is providing the necessary support to those affected by this incident.” Thunder added that it would make no further comment on the issue and that a replacement had not yet been decided for Farooqi.