Pakistan make two changes to ODI squad for New Zealand series

Pakistan have made two changes to their ODI squad ahead of the three-match series against New Zealand. Fast bowler Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan have been added to the team.

Haris Rauf performed well in the recent T20I series against New Zealand, taking eight wickets in four matches. Usman Khan, however, did not play in any game during the T20I series.

Along with these two players, eight others from the T20 squad and the support staff have also joined the ODI squad in Napier. The players are Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Ali, and Usman Khan.

The remaining eight players from the T20 squad will return to Pakistan tonight via Dubai. These players are Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Umair Bin Yousuf, Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad, and Jahandad Khan.

The first ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played on March 29.

New Zealand recently won the five-match T20I series against Pakistan by 4-1. In the last T20I, Tim Seifert helped New Zealand win with an unbeaten knock of 97 runs off just 38 balls. His brilliant batting helped his team chase a target of 129 runs in only 10 overs, with 60 balls left.

In ODIs, Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other 119 times. Pakistan have won 61 matches, while New Zealand have won 54. Three matches ended without a result, and one match was tied.

Recently, Pakistan have struggled against New Zealand. They lost their last three ODI matches against them at home. Two of those defeats came in a tri-nation series, while the third loss was in the Champions Trophy opener at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19.