Big picture: Pakistan, NZ build for ODI World Cup

Very little seems to ride on the ODI series these days, something especially true for this three-match rubber between Pakistan and New Zealand. Both sides have qualified for the World Cup later this year, and hosting the limited-overs matches as the dessert rather than hors d'oeuvre makes it feel insubstantial.

They head to India for a white-ball series following this one, which means they can draw a touch more context out of this series than Pakistan. That is particularly true in a year where the World Cup will be held in India, so a dry run to the subcontinent in January might serve them rather well when October comes around.

Form guide

Pakistan: WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand: WLLLW

In the spotlight: Haris Sohail and Henry Shipley

Pitch and conditions

A fresh pitch is expected for the first ODI. It's expected to be comfortable and sunny, a high of 19 degrees Celsius. No rain is expected.

Team news: Masood is Pakistan's new vice-captain

Pakistan have a new vice-captain in Shan Masood, which likely brings him into the XI as a middle-order batter. Haris, too, is expected to feature in the team.

Pakistan (probable): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Shan Masood/Mohammad Nawaz, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Usama Mir, 9 Mohammad Wasim, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Naseem Shah.

Doug Bracewell has been named as Matt Henry replacement for the ODIs in Pakistan and India, but he won't be available for Monday's game. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead confirmed that Bracewell would arrive in Karachi on Wednesday.

New Zealand: (probable): 1 Finn Allen, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 8 Michael Bracewell, 8 Ish Sodhi 9 Tim Southee, 10 Lockie Ferguson 11 Henry Shipley

Stats and trivia

Quotes

"It's the first series of the year and we want to start well. New Zealand is one of the best sides in the world and have a good mix of senior and junior players. These matches will be good."
Pakistan captain Babar Azam is expecting a hard-fought series

"We'll have to assess the conditions in front of us. It's the first time playing ODI cricket here for all of us. It's a tough challenge against a very strong Pakistan side."
Kane Williamson acknowledges the novelty of this challenge for a side playing in unfamiliar conditions