Cricket: The Pakistanis who spell danger for Black Caps

New Zealand should start favourites for their three-test series against Pakistan.

The tourists are technically hosts for the series beginning in Dunedin on Tuesday, as the contest was due to take place in Pakistan before security issues made that impossible.

They arrive with a host of young up-and-comers and a sprinkling of experienced performers. But the conditions should suit the home team.

So who will be Pakistan's key performers if they are to depart next month with a "home" series win?

Mohammad Yousuf


Age 35, tests 82

Numbers tell the story about Pakistan's captain, who converted from Christianity to Islam four years ago.

He has hit 7023 runs at 54.86, with 24 hundreds. That puts him behind only Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq as Pakistan's highest test run-makers, and his average is superior to all his countrymen.

A technically proficient player, Yousuf can stand tall in the finest company.

He'll be needed to show the way to the younger batsmen - only opener Imran Farhat can match his two previous tours to New Zealand; legspinner Danish Kaneria and medium pacer Umar Gul were also here last time six years ago.

Yousuf missed 19 months' international cricket while he played in the Indian Cricket League, then marked his return last July with 112 against Sri Lanka.

He knows New Zealand conditions well, hitting 203 at Christchurch in 2001 and he averaged 64.62 in six tests against New Zealand.

The big question will be his leadership.

He has captained Pakistan in only three previous tests, as a stand-in.

Can he draw the best out of his notoriously erratic countrymen and lift them to a series-winning performance?

Kamran Akmal


Age 27, tests 43

An explosive batsman, Akmal had to bide his time despite making his test debut seven years ago.

True to Pakistani tradition, Akmal first appeared in first-class cricket at the delicate age of 15 but Pakistan had two proficient wicketkeepers ahead of him, Moin Khan and Rashid Latif. Akmal got his opportunity in 2004 and despite the odd slump remains the man in possession of the big gloves.

He averages 33.22 from 2226 runs, with six centuries. At the start of the year, he turned in two remarkable, but contrasting performances.

He belted the fastest test hundred by a wicketkeeper, 102 not out off 82 balls against India at Lahore.

Shortly after, with Pakistan 39 for six, on a green strip in Karachi, Akmal hit a fighting 113. It turned the match on its head, and Pakistan won by 341 runs.

Akmal's younger brother Umar is also on the tour and among Pakistan's most promising young talents.

But the little wicketkeeper is a player to be respected in his own right.

Mohammad Aamer


Age 17, tests 3

One of Pakistan's brightest hopes, the teenager has overcome stress fractures, back problems and a bout of dengue fever which had him laid up in hospital for a month.

The lively left-armer took 55 wickets in Pakistan domestic cricket this year to make the world Twenty20 squad.

He then made an impact en route to Pakistan's victory in the tournament.

His test debut in Galle against Sri Lanka in July produced six wickets and he showed his all-round potential by clouting an unbeaten 73 against New Zealand, which came within a handful of runs of winning the deciding ODI in Dubai recently.

Aamer struck New Zealand captain Dan Vettori a thudding blow to the right side of his head during that series and can work up decent pace.

His hero, to absolutely no surprise, is the great Wasim Akram, and while coach Intikhab Alam cautioned against making any comparisons, he's a watch-this-space cricketer.

"I want to be the go-to guy for the team," Aamer said recently.

"Someone the captain and the nation relies on to lead them to glory."

No self-imposed pressure, then.

Mohammad Asif


Age 26, tests 11

The most controversial figure in the Pakistani team, hands down.

His career would have consisted of many more appearances but for a couple of bans for drug offences.

The fast-medium bowler is highly regarded, his 11 tests producing 51 wickets at 23.13, but assuming he plays in Dunedin next week, it will be his first test for two years.

In June last year, he was detained at Dubai airport for 19 days when a small quantity of opium was found on him.

He was released and no charges were made, but he's now banned from returning to the UAE, which could pose a long-term problem, given that is Pakistan's de facto home for the moment.

He copped a one-year ban for nandrolone three years ago, but got off on appeal. In between times, he can bowl.

His 11 for 71 carried Pakistan to an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Kandy in 2006 and his control and swing make him a real threat.

"I am determined to put my recent past behind me," Asif said. "I have learned my lesson."

Saeed Ajmal


Age 32, tests 3

Pakistan's late-blooming offspinner is a real handful, with a clever doosra in his armoury.

He made his test debut against Sri Lanka in July, and picked up 14 wickets in the three tests.

His first-class record, starting 13 years ago, comprises 85 matches, and 279 wickets at 27.16.

Ajmal was a key fixture in Pakistan's world Twenty20 triumph this year, finishing equal top wicket-taker and proving adept at putting a lock on opponents' middle over batting ambitions.

He will be vying for one spot with legspinner Danish Kaneria, whose career has been long but not especially spectacular.

Ajmal, with his ability to befuddle better batting lineups than New Zealand's, should be the frontrunner.

WHAT: 1st Test, Black Caps v Pakistan

WHERE: University Oval, Dunedin

WHEN: Starts Tuesday November 24

TAB: New Zealand Win Series - $2.85, Pakistan Win Series- $2.40, Drawn Series - $3.00.