Pakistan look to Yasir, Abbas to tame 'tough' New Zealand

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed is confident leg-spinner Yasir Shah and medium pacer Mohammad Abbas can combine to tame "tough" New Zealand in the first Test starting in Abu Dhabi Friday.

The fast-rising Abbas took 17 wickets in a two-match Test series, including a ten-wicket haul at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, as Pakistan beat Australia 1-0 last month.

Abbas, who made his debut last year, has 59 wickets from his first 10 Tests and will be backed by the spin duo of Yasir and Bilal Asif.

Sarfraz said he expects more from Yasir, who managed just eight wickets against Australia.

"Yes, our bowling attack is good," said Sarfraz on Thursday.

"Abbas has been bowling superbly while Yasir didn't look as great as we had expected, but in this series I expect more from Yasir."
"I think it's important that we adapt with this inexperienced side that we have come here with and look to learn as we can and do that quickly because we want to be playing our best cricket under these conditions."