Pak vs NZ 1st ODI: Pakistan opts to bowl first after winning the toss

Pakistan has opted to bowl first against New Zealand after winning to toss in the opening game of the five-match ODI series played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Shan Masood will bat at Number 4 for Pakistan while middle-order batter Mark Chapman has been included in New Zealand’s XI.

Haris Sohail who suffered an injury during a practice session has been excluded from the green team.

After winning the toss Babar Azam said that the pitch will be helpful later in the day for batting.

While NZ captain Tom Latham endorsed Pakistan’s decision.

Latham said they would have also bowled first if they had won the toss.

“Our morale is high after winning the final T20I,” he added.

Playing XI:

Pakistan: 

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imamul Haq, Muhammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir.

New Zealand: 

Tom Latham (captain), Adam Milne, Ben Lister, Blair Tickner, Chad Bowes, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell and Will Young.