Daniel Vettori was expectedly included in the New Zealand playing XI as the visitors looked for series-equaliser but the toss did not go their way. Pakistan opted to bat on a Sharjah pitch expected to be slower and lower than the previous two venues. Brendon McCullum reiterated that the inclusion of Vettori in place of Jimmy Neesham was a one-off move and added that the team wanted to make it special for Vettori as it could be the spinners' last Test. He also said Vettori would bat at No. 6.

Vettori's previous Test outing was more than two years ago. This Test - his 112th for New Zealand - takes him past Stephen Fleming as the most-capped New Zealand player. He has also represented the ICC World XI in one Test.

Pakistan made two changes to their squad; Mohmmad Hafeez replaced Taufeeq Umar at the top of the order, while an injured Ehsan Adil was replaced by Mohammad Talha. Hafeez, who was reported for suspect bowling action after the first Test, was still available to bowl as per the ICC regulations.

Pakistan 1 Shan Masood, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Yasir Shah, 9 Mohammad Talha, 10 Zulfiqar Babar, 11 Rahat Ali

New Zealand 1. Tom Latham, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt), 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Corey Anderson, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Daniel Vettori, 8 Mark Craig, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Tim Southee 11 Trent Boult

(cricinfo)