The New Zealand cricket authority has confirmed that the Kiwis are all set to visit Pakistan to play 2 test matches bilateral series with Pakistan. Pakistan vs New Zealand test series 2022-23 will be an integral part of the World Test Championship 2021-23 and New Zealand will play its final stage Test Championship series in Pakistan after being eliminated from the competition to retain the trophy they gained versus India at Southampton in 2021. Pak vs NZ test series 2022-23 will kick off with the first test at National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi on 26 Dec, and then both the squads will the 2nd test at same Stadium from 2 Jan 2023. After a long gap of 20 years, New Zealand will revisit Pakistan for a test series. The last time the Kiwis played a test series in Pakistan was back in 2002.
Williamson's move to quit his position while still remaining a member of the Test team surprised the international cricket community. After leading the team to victory in the first World Test Championship (WTC) match in 2021 against India, Williamson's tenure as the Test skipper will be remembered as a triumph.
After the resignation of Kane Williamson, the New Zealand right-handed pacer Tim Southee will take charge of the New Zealand test team as a new captain. The pacer Southee's maiden mission as a leader will be in Pakistan during the very next year. Southee is in charge of a remodeled team that will be missing partner fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson (back injury) and Trent Boult (absence), as well as experienced spin bowler Ish Sodhi and white-ball expert Glenn Phillips. Tom Latham, the opening batsman for Canterbury, has been named the vice-captain for the Test match following formerly captaining the team without Williamson.
On the other hand, Babar Azam will take charge of the Pakistan squad against the Black Caps. Currently, Babar Azam is holding the top 2nd position in the ICC Test player ranking in the batting group whereas Tim Southee is in the 16th position in the bowling group. In terms of ICC ranking, New Zealand is in the 5th position whereas Pakistan is sitting in the 6th position, so there is no big difference in ranking.
So, it would be interesting to watch how New Zealand will perform on Pakistan land after 20 years under the leadership of a new captain in the upcoming Pak vs NZ test series 2022-23.