Pakistan Opener Ruled Out Of Must-Win 2nd ODI Against New Zealand Due To Injury

Pakistan suffered a major setback ahead of the crucial second ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand, as opener Usman Khan has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Pakistan will lock horns with the hosts on April 2 (Wednesday) at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. The match will be a must-win clash for the Men in Green as they lost the series opener by 73 runs. Notably, Pakistan lost the five-match NZ vs PAK T20I series by 4-1.

Usman sustained the injury while fielding during the first NZ vs PAK ODI at McLean Park in Napier on March 29. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the opener has been ruled out of the second ODI due to a hamstring injury. An MRI scan revealed a low-grade tear, making him unavailable for the Hamilton match.

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"Usman Khan has been ruled out from the second ODI against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old opening batter sustained the injury while fielding during his side’s first ODI against New Zealand at the Mclean Park in Napier on Friday. The MRI scan confirmed a Low-Grade tear, making Usman unavailable for the second ODI scheduled on 2 April at Seddon Park in Hamilton," the PCB statement says.

Usman impressed on his ODI debut, scoring 39 off 33 balls with four fours and two sixes. His availability for the third ODI remains uncertain as he recovers from injury. Pakistan have Imam-ul-Haq as an alternative opener but his fitness also remains a concern.

Pakistan squad for ODI series against New Zealand: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk) (c), Abdullah Shafique, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Irfan Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Akif Javed, Mohammad Ali, Sufiyan Muqeem, Haris Rauf, Usman Khan (injured and ruled out of 2nd ODI)

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