Cricket: Visitors to watch

Saeed Ajmal

A late starter in international cricket, the offspinner from Faisalabad has made his mark.

The 33-year-old made his ODI debut in July 2008; his T20 start was in May last year; and he kicked off his test career two months later with 14 wickets in three matches in Sri Lanka.

Ajmal has been making up for lost time. Armed with clever changes of pace, a handy doosra and plenty of spirit, Ajmal will be Pakistan's key spinner in New Zealand.

He was a key figure in their world T20 triumph in England last year, finishing joint second top wicket-taker with 12 in six games, and his 38 wickets from 26 T20s at just 16.1 apiece speak for themselves.

His best work has come in limited-overs games where he's prospered as batsmen have looked to attack him.

He hasn't got legspinner Danish Kaneria for rivalry on this tour but another leftie, journeyman Abdur Rehman.

Ajmal survived an International Cricket Council inquiry into his actions and he has a personality which brings character to the side.

Shoaib Akhtar

Once cricket's fastest bowler, the waistline is thicker and by comparison he's a mild zephyr from his halcyon days early in the decade.

Still he's lively enough for a handful of overs.

In his prime he was a thrilling sight, hair flying, outrageously long runup and blistering pace which brought 178 test wickets in 46 games at 25.69; 242 ODI wickets in 157 appearances so far at 24.5.

His two tests against New Zealand were fruitful: at Lahore in 2002, he shot out the first four batsmen - Matt Horne, Mark Richardson, Stephen Fleming and Chris Harris - all bowled, en route to six for 11.

At the Basin Reserve a year later he grabbed 11 for 78 to set up another victory.

All up 17 wickets at 5.3 apiece.

But in time it's his off-field activities for which Akhtar is more likely to be remembered.

Since his test debut 13 years ago, there have been issues over his bowling action, ball tampering, bans, career-threatening injuries, fines and courtroom battles with the Pakistan board.

The end is nigh for the fast bowler but if he stirs himself next week, he could be a handful.

Umar Akmal

Pakistan's most talented batsman, but it's been a troubled year since he blazed a double of 129 and 75 on test debut at University Oval last season.

Those carefree days, averaging 63 in that three-test series, must seem far away. His form yo-yoed as Pakistan were run over by Australia and the scandal-hit tour of England in mid-year further confirmed Akmal's frustrating knack of not getting the runs his gifts suggest he should. He wasn't helped by having his older brother, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, on the fringe of the spot-fixing allegations, then he was one of four more players fingered by alleged fixing middleman Mazhar Majeed in Pakistani TV footage.

The 20-year-old averages in the mid-30s in all three versions, but there's nothing average about his game when he's on. There's no question the boy can play.

Younis Khan

If ever the several-times Pakistan captain decided to spill the beans on his 10 years in the national side it would be a cracking read.

Younis led Pakistan to the world T20 title in England last year, then promptly retired from that version, but is back in the shortest form again.

He was suspended by the Pakistan board for causing infighting earlier this year, had players agitating for his removal, yet remains, at 33, one of his country's finest players.

Only Javed Miandad and Mohammad Yousuf have a better test average than Younis' 50.37.

Just four men have played more tests for the country. He's hit a triple century and in one eight-test run hit five centuries, including a big double hundred and 199 and 194 in consecutive matches.

After 16 months out, he returned last month and promptly made an unbeaten 131 against South Africa in Dubai.

He is a Pathan, from the North West Frontier region, and therefore a fearless, tough competitor. Right now, Pakistan need him badly.

Shahid Afridi

He's Pakistan's most cavalier cricketer, and therefore highly popular. He's as likely to deposit his first ball into the crowd at long on as hole out in the deep.

Afridi is leading Pakistan's T20 team, and that's his natural game. He bowls aggressive and pretty useful leg spin and bats as if life is one big chase.

Three of ODI cricket's six fastest centuries belong to him, including the quickest, off only 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi 14 years ago.

Afridi is also the only bloke caught biting a ball, during an ODI in Perth last January. A touch of seasoning, a spot of tomato relish and it might have been tasty. It cost him a two-game ban.

Pakistan won't name their ODI squad until around mid-January. Afridi is the incumbent captain but, for the moment, it's the three T20s that are his focus.

With his flowing hair, beard and forceful personality, Afridi can be an inspiring figure.

He can change a game in a couple of overs so it's not a good idea to nip off to the gents as he strides belligerently out to the middle.