Pakistan have sent out the SOS but it may be too late to allow the most experienced of its batsmen called up for a mercy dash to New Zealand, Ijaz Ahmed, to arrive in New Zealand.

He is scheduled to arrive in Auckland at lunchtime on Thursday, two hours after the first Test has started at Eden Park.

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed overnight that all rounder Wasim Akram, opening batsman Saeed Anwar and all rounder Azhar Mahmood were going home.

But in a way that is becoming increasingly typical of the way the Pakistan side does things, Saeed and Azhar had not been told today that they were going.

Wasim Akram's side strain which became apparent in the last few overs of New Zealand's run chase to win the National Bank one-day series decider, is of sufficient concern to mean he will not be available for a month.

Saeed Anwar has groin and hip problems while Mahmood has foot and groin injuries.

Complicating selection issues for the first Test is the fact that Abdur Razzaq, who was hospitalised in Dunedin with suspected food poisoning, still has stomach pains. Saqlain Mushtaq was also under an injury cloud but he passed a fitness test and will stay on tour.

Joining Ijaz in the party will be Fazl-e-Akbar, Faisal Iqbal (a nephew of coach Javed Miandad) and opener Taufeeq Umer.

It seemed at one stage that off spinner Arshad Khan, who only arrived a week ago as a replacement, would also return but it is understood that team management wanted him to stay.

New Zealand, by comparison, has its only concern centred on fast-medium bowler Daryl Tuffey. He didn't stretch out fully at practice today but is expected to be able to take his place in the Test.

Aucklander Chris Drum is on stand by if he should break down before the match while provincial, and New Zealand A, team mate Kyle Mills bowled with the team today and will do so again tomorrow.

© CricInfo