Cricket: Lack of experience starting to bite Pakistan

Pakistan opener Imran Farhat is under pressure to retain his place for the second test against NZ. Photo / Getty Images

Pakistan's security-based isolation from test cricket and a focus on the limited overs formats have combined to make life challenging on the current tour of New Zealand, according to coach Intikhab Alam.

Confined to just seven test matches in two years, a rebuilding team have had little scope to acquaint themselves with foreign conditions in the longest version of the game.

Although Pakistan are the reigning Twenty20 world champions and remain a competitive one-day unit, batting deficiencies were apparent at the highest level during their 32-run first test loss in Dunedin.

Pakistan mirrored New Zealand's long-standing problems in the top and middle order, plummeting to 85 for five in the first innings and 24 for three in their unsuccessful run chase.

Openers Khurram Manzoor and Imran Farhat are under pressure to retain their places, and it has already been confirmed that Farhat will be replaced at first slip by Misbah-ul-Haq after dropping four catches at University Oval.

The middle order batsman will play the 16th test of an intermittent career at the Basin Reserve in Wellington starting on Thursday, but who makes way for the 35-year-old is a moot point.

Farhat, Manzoor and first drop Fawad Alam failed in both innings in Dunedin as Pakistan struggled to adapt to batting on a pitch offering variable bounce in chilly, blustery conditions.

Alam looked particularly ill at ease in the second innings, making five before falling to a fielding trap at silly mid-on set by Daniel Vettori for Shane Bond's benefit.

The 24-year-old made the perfect start to his test career in Sri Lanka in July, becoming the 10th Pakistani batsman to compile a century on debut when he stroked 168 in the second innings at Colombo's P Saravanamuttu Oval.

But since then four innings have yielded a highest score of just 29.

Manzoor, 23, also made an encouraging start to his test career with a 93 in the final test in Sri Lanka, but a move from the familiarity of the subcontinent has so far been unfulfilling after scores of six and four.

"You need to play test cricket regularly to apply yourself to conditions," Intikhab said when explaining his batsmen's substandard run production in Dunedin.

"The batting is a concern, especially the middle order and the opening batsmen. They are youngsters, it will take time.

"It's a mental game, they've got to stay at the wicket."

Until arriving in New Zealand, Pakistan had not played a series outside the subcontinent since January, 2007, in South Africa.

A terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus at Lahore in March has also removed the benefits of home advantage for the foreseeable future as they are forced to play in the United Arab Emirates or in their opponent's backyard.

With a tour to Australia following the three-test series here, Pakistan face a daunting summer on the road.

Ul-Haq's addition may not be the only change to the batting order because Salman Butt and Faisal Iqbal are also experienced alternatives within the squad.

Intikhab at least has few concerns about the quality of his bowling attack after 17-year-old Mohammad Aamer, fellow quick Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul caused plenty of problems for New Zealand's strokemakers.

Aamer made early inroads in both innings in Dunedin while Asif marked his first test in two years with a match haul of eight wickets for 151.

Asif has lost a yard of pace during his two-year absence due to injury and drug bans but the 26-year-old's line, length and variations were impeccable.

"He needs match fitness. I'm happy with the way he's bowling," Intikhab said.

"He's bowled 130-132km/h consistently which is not bad if you're getting wickets and swinging the ball.

"Bowlers get fit while bowling, not in the nets. The more you bowl in a match the better you will get," Intikhab said.

That said, both teams will be keen to have a net session at the test venue today after rain forced them indoors yesterday.

- NZPA