Pakistan team gather in Napier for New Zealand ODI series

Pakistan’s cricket team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, has arrived in Napier for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on March 29.  

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video of the players and management greeting each other as they prepared for the white-ball matches.  

Earlier, Pakistan added fast bowler Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan to the squad. Rauf was in top form during the recent T20I series against New Zealand, taking eight wickets in four matches at an average of 12.25. Usman, however, did not play in any game.  

Eight players from the T20I squad have also joined the ODI team, including Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Ali, along with Rauf and Usman. Meanwhile, the other eight players from the T20I squad have left for Pakistan via Dubai.  

The ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place from March 29 to April 5. Both teams have played 119 ODIs against each other, with Pakistan winning 61 and New Zealand 54. Three matches had no result, and one ended in a tie.  

Pakistan has struggled against New Zealand recently, losing their last three ODIs at home. Two of these defeats happened during a tri-nation series, while the third loss was in the Champions Trophy opener at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on February 19.