Latham ruled out of Pak ODIs

New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan after fracturing his right hand during training.

The 33-year-old Henry Nicholls has been named as his replacement.

Michael Bracewell, the T20I captain, will now lead the ODI squad in Latham's absence. Latham was originally set to captain the team in place of regular skipper Mitchell Santner, who is currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Latham sustained the injury while batting in the nets earlier this week. An X-ray confirmed the fracture, and he will need to wear a cast and undergo "at least four weeks of rest and rehabilitation," according to New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

Nicholls, who has played 78 ODIs, has regained form in domestic cricket, scoring five half-centuries in six innings since recovering from a calf strain that sidelined him for much of the season.

Meanwhile, opener Will Young will miss the second and third ODIs as he and his wife await the birth of their first child. Young will feature in the series opener in Napier on Saturday before being replaced by uncapped Canterbury batter Rhys Mariu, who has received his maiden international call-up.

Head coach Gary Stead expressed confidence in the squad's ability to adapt and emphasized the opportunity for other players to step up.

"We've had to be flexible this tour with numerous players unavailable for different reasons," Stead said.

"What it does do is offer opportunities to other players and it's nice to introduce Rhys into the environment for the first time, as well as welcome back Henry," he added.

"Henry has been in good form since returning from his three-month injury layoff and will add valuable skills and experience to the team. It's obviously disappointing to lose Tom as captain on the eve of the series and we wish him a speedy recovery. The side is in safe hands with Michael who's done a great job through the T20I series.

"Finally we wish Will and his wife Elise all the best next week as they await their first child which is such a special and important time for them."

It is pertinent to mention that the Blackcaps recently won the fifth and final T20I against Pakistan, sealing the series 4-1. Their victory was powered by a sensational knock from Tim Seifert, who scored an unbeaten 97 off 38 balls to help his side chase down 129 in just 10 overs, with 60 deliveries to spare.

New Zealand ODI squad: Henry Nicholls, Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Michael Bracewell (C), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young

Two new additions

The Pakistan cricket team has made strategic changes to its ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, adding two players ahead of the first match.

Fast bowler Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan have been included in the ODI squad.

Rauf took eight wickets in four T20I matches during the recent series, which Pakistan lost, while Usman Khan did not feature in a single match.

Additionally, eight players from Pakistan's T20 squad, along with support staff, have joined the ODI squad in Napier.

The players who have joined the ODI squad are Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Ali, and Usman Khan.

Pakistan's ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Haris Rauf, Usman Khan.