Can New Zealand stop Yasir Shah in his tracks?

It's been an unexpectedly lively series in the UAE. New Zealand won the first Test in Abu Dhabi in thrilling circumstances, by an excruciating margin of four runs, before Pakistan bit back in emphatic style in Dubai, where Yasir Shah claimed a remarkable 14 wickets in the match, including 10 in a single match-seizing third day.

And so it all boils down to the decider in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Pakistan enter the contest with a major setback, after their star seamer, Mohammad Abbas, went lame with a shoulder injury, but they remain strong favourites in the two-horse race, at 8/13 versus 13/5.

The most significant question, in light of Yasir's startling return last week, is can anyone prevent a repeat rout? The odds would appear to be against it, with Yasir leading the market at 6/1 to be Man of the Match - just ahead of Abbas, in fact, so caveat emptor with that one …

If New Zealand are to battle back to seize the series, then their star batsman is surely going to have to put a shift in. Kane Williamson was an innocent bystander as Yasir wrecked his side's first innings in Dubai - he finished 28 not out from No.3 as his next eight colleagues managed five runs between them.

And, having also made a vital half-century to set up his side's hopes in the first Test, he is 10/1 to be Man of the Match in the finale.