New Zealand cricket team is furiously trying to adapt to weather and pitch conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as they eye a rampant Pakistan squad, ahead of their Test series.
New Zealand start a three-day warm-up match against Pakistan A in Sharjah on Monday before going to Abu Dhabi to face Pakistan in the opening match of a three-Test series followed by two Twenty20s and five ODIs.
Star all rounder Corey Anderson made it clear that dealing with the heat and the slower wickets was their priority as they settled into a tour that would take them up to Christmas and be crucial to their World Cup preparations at the other end of summer, Stuff.co.nz reported.
Anderson said that it feels like it's now the start of summer, as New Zealand finished another practice session under the Sharjah sun, coming off two losses and a washout at home to South Africa.
He said that they have just been adjusting to the heat and the conditions there, adding that it's obviously a lot lower and slower. He also said that New Zealand has a bit of a challenge on their hands but he is sure they would adapt.
Anderson said that it was vital for the New Zealand batsmen to get some runs against Pakistan A and for the bowlers to get some overs under the belts. Their top order had struggled against South Africa and there would certainly be immediate pressure on that department.
Anderson also admitted that they had been watching Pakistan's latest demolition of Australia with keen interest, the report added.