New Zealand wins throws and chooses to beat against Pakistan in the Tri-National Series opener

On By Littum

Lahore, Pakistan (AP) -New Zealand won the thrown and chose to beat the opening match in the Tri-National series against Pakistan on a newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

The tournament, also with South Africa, is a structure for all three teams to Champions Trophy, From Karachi from February 19th.

Babar Azam opens laps for only the third time in his ODD career with Fakhar Zaman, after Saim Ayub was excluded by both events due to broken ankle.

Allrounder Khushdil Shah, who also toasts the left armspin, has been recalled to the white ball format and plays his first ODD since August 2022.

New Zealand, still concerned about fitness of the fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, omitted Devon Conway and Mark Chapman from the opening match, but has experienced Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell in the middle order with Tom Latham.

Ferguson breastfeed a hamstring injury that he sustained during the ongoing oxygen20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates, and is questionable to get in the form of time for Champions Trophy.

Gaddafi Stadium is one of the three venues that has undergone massive upgrade for Champions Trophy in a record time of 117 days and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday. Karachi and Rawalpindi are the other venues for Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan.

Lahore will also host the second game in the Tri-National series between South Africa and New Zealand on Monday before Karachi hosts the remaining two matches next week, including the final on February 14.

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Lineups:

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (Captain), Matt Henry, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke.

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AP Cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Associated Press