Napier: Pakistan won the toss and selected the first field against New Zealand in the initial match of the One Day International (ODI) series at McLeen Park, Napier.
Both teams have made several changes in the squads that played a five-match T20 eye series that won 4–1 by the hosts.
Tourists have welcomed captain Mohammad Rizwan and batsman Babar Azam after leaving the major giants for the T20 series.
Facing the hosts in the previous series, the green shirt all struggled with the bat in T20I, which causes heavy losses – which included nine wickets, five wickets, 115 runs and eight wickets – as they failed to adjust to New Zeland’s bouncy pitches.
Visitors are hitting land with some senior players, which will give very important boost for the purpose of bouncing back in 50 overs matches. Pakistan also wants to put behind its disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, where he was terminated in group stage despite hosting the tournament earlier this year.
Pakistan’s play XI includes Abdullah Shafiq, Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Aga Salman, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Nasim Shah and Haris Rauf.
However, Pakistan suffered a setback as opener Imam-ul-Haq was first dropped from ODIs due to injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the Imam maintained the right toe injury during a practice session on the eve of the match.
The match has a special occasion for three Pakistani players – Akif Javed, Usman Khan and Mohammad Ali, who are making their ODI debuts.
Team manager Naved Akram Cheema handed over his first hat to Usman Khan, head coach Aqib Javed provided his first cap to Akif Javed, while Mohammad Rizwan welcomed Mohammad Ali to International Cricket and gave him his first hat.
Speaking after the toss, Pakistan captain Rizwan said that he decided to bowl first after seeing the position of the pitch.
“We want to take advantage of the conditions by bowling first,” Rizwan said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand handed over international debuts to open batsman Nick Kelly and Pakistan -born all -rounder Muhammad Abbas.
With a fresh pitch and storm position in Napier, Pakistan will look at the New Zealand’s batting line-up to create an inroad early.
Pakistan:
Abdullah Shafiq, Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Salman Aga, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Nasim Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed
New Zealand:
Nick Kelly, Will Young, Henry Nichols, Mark Chapman, Derryl Michel, Michael Bracewell (Captain), Muhammad Abbas, Mich He, Nathan Smith, Jacob Dafi, Will O’Rureke
Umpire: Chris Brown (NZL), Paul Refel (AUS)
Tv umpire: Michael Guff (Eng)
Match Referee: Jeff Crow (NZL)
