LAHORE: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in the first match of the ODI tri-nation series against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.
The tri-nation series involving hosts Pakistan, along with New Zealand and South Africa, will be played from February 8 to 14 at the newly-constructed Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
Tournament provides opportunity to all three sides to prepare for upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
After the toss, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan said had they won the toss, they would also have chosen to bat first.
Rizwan emphasised the importance of the tri-series as part of their preparations for the Champions Trophy, highlighting its relevance to the team’s upcoming challenges.
He further mentioned that Babar Azam will open alongside Fakhar Zaman, with the duo taking the initial responsibility at the crease.
The skipper said the playing squad featured three fast bowlers — Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.
Rizwan is eying his fourth consecutive ODI series win since taking over as Pakistan captain, having won bilateral ODI series against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa last year.
The Green Shirts captain on the eve of the tri-nation series said: “We are excited to be playing again in front of our home crowd and in the newly constructed stadiums in Lahore and Karachi.
“The preparations have gone well so far with the players looking to give their best in the tournament leading up to the ICC event.”
New Zealand, who had their first training session at the LCCA Ground on Thursday evening, will look to make a winning start in the tournament. Mitchell Santner said: “We had a good training session in Lahore under lights and can’t wait to take on the home side on Saturday.
“It is great to be back in Pakistan and the side had a good outing when we toured last time. The tri-nation series will provide us a great opportunity to know about the wickets and help us prepare well for the upcoming pinnacle event.”
Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand XI: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Ben Sears, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke.
