- Iftikhar Ahmed replaces Haris Sohail in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the last three matches against New Zealand
- New Zealand have won five of the last six ODI series against Pakistan
- Pakistan currently leads the five-match series 1-0, with the last three matches to be played on May 3, 5 and 7 in Karachi.
Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has been named as the replacement for injured Haris Sohail in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the last three matches against New Zealand in Karachi. Sohail suffered a shoulder injury on the eve of the first ODI after landing awkwardly during a fielding drill. Pakistan, currently leading the five-match series 1-0, will play the last three ODIs in Karachi on May 3, 5 and 7.
New Zealand have recently dominated over Pakistan, winning five of the last six ODI series between them, with their last series defeat against Pakistan coming at home in 2011. Despite missing eight players, including skipper Kane Williamson, due to the ongoing Indian Premier League or injury, New Zealand managed to draw a preceding five-match Twenty20 series 2-2 under stand-in skipper Tom Latham, adapting skillfully to the conditions and winning the third and fifth matches.
The Pakistan team, which won the first ODI on Thursday by five wickets with a century by opener Fakhar Zaman, is currently playing the second ODI against New Zealand in Rawalpindi and will fly to Karachi on Sunday. The tour comes as compensation for New Zealand pulling out of their visit to Pakistan on the day of the first game in September 2021, citing security concerns. The Black Caps played two Tests and three ODIs in Pakistan just three months ago.
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