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Mohammad Yousuf - Source: Reuters -
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Pakistan has echoed New Zealand's perennial concerns about accumulating enough runs to be competitive in Tuesday's first cricket Test at Dunedin, underscoring the potentially close-run nature of this series.
With two inexperienced and unconvincing batting orders warily approaching day one at University Oval, the overhead conditions at the toss could have a defining role on how the contest between the sixth and seventh-ranked test cricket nations plays out.
The picturesque venue has a short and far from definitive Test history. New Zealand predictably beat Bangladesh on the ground's debut in 2007-08 and last year's match against the West Indies was a rain-affected stalemate.
But its reputation as a seamer-friendly wicket on the first morning, and especially under cloud cover, has convinced both teams to name batting-dominated lineups.
Pakistan and New Zealand were both stung in Sri Lanka in July and August when failing to score large totals.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has to cope with a bigger than ideal workload, despite acknowledging he is far from fully fit.
Vettori looked to be throwing with difficulty at training on Monday as a left shoulder injury continued to trouble him but at least yesterday's blow to the right elbow did not prevent him having a long bat in the nets.
Three fast bowlers support the skipper with Shane Bond and Chris Martin potentially joined by Daryl Tuffey at the expense of Iain O'Brien.
Tuffey, who last played a Test more than five years ago, was close to selection in the second Test against Sri Lanka three months ago. Subsequent ODI performances and an impressive outing against the tourists in Queenstown last week might finally end his wait.
Meanwhile, the effect of allrounder Jacob Oram retirement's from test cricket is already apparent. His replacement Grant Elliott has a knee niggle and will not bowl outside of an emergency.
"Four bowlers means an increased workload for me but I think that's a good thing," Vettori said, before placing the onus on his batsmen to finally fire collectively.
"They have to step up. In the past we've had a little bit of a luxury with the allrounder but this time everyone has to step up and do their job.
"We have to be honest and acknowledge our batting hasn't been as good as we'd like. We go into a test match with six batters - their role is to bat, none of them have to worry about bowling."
Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam admitted batting was his prime concern after his line-up twice folded in Sri Lanka.
Quicks Umar Gul, Mohammed Aamer, Mohammad Asif and offspinner Saeed Ajmal are the bowlers as Intikhab suggested he would need "seven batsmen" after inspecting a greenish pitch.
"We are an inexperienced side and we need to bat four or five sessions. It's consistency I'm looking for."
Aside from the prolific Mohammad Yousuf - 7023 runs at 54.86, with 24 centuries -- only one other batsman betters 40.
Those records convince Bond that New Zealand have the attack to limit the damage, but his concern is whether his batsmen can amass enough runs.
"I suppose that's the one area that we've lacked a little bit, scoring those consistent big runs from the top of the order," he said.
"I think if we can get runs on the board then we definitely have the bowling attack to take wickets."
Unfortunately the signs are not promising. Against Sri Lanka, New Zealand failed to reach 300 in three of four innings and Vettori was the sole century maker.
Although New Zealand have home advantage, Vettori admitted the test team's recent woes and the composition of the Pakistan side provided little solace.
"They're a dangerous side, they've got a balanced bowling attack and one of the greatest batsmen of the modern generation in Mohammad Yousuf," he said.
The match starts at 12pm on Tuesday (NZT).
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