New Zealand head to Auckland on Tuesday to begin preparations for three Twenty20 matches against Pakistan before a two-test series begins in Mt. Maunganui on Dec. 26.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has made significant strides in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings after the second Test against West Indies in Manchester.
The three-match Test series is scheduled to start from August 5, with all eyes are on Babar, who had been in rich form prior to COVID-19 suspension scoring four tons in last five Tests.