Sports
Both teams make three changes each; New Zealand ask Pakistan to bat
The victory is important for Kiwis against Pakistan in today’s match to stay alive in five matches ODIs series.
Karachi: New Zealand on Wednesday won the toss and elected to field first in the third of five ODIs against Pakistan, being played in Karachi.
New Zealand, who needed to win this one to stay alive in the series after losing the first two games, made the changes. Cole McConchie made his ODI debut, while Tom Blundell came in to bolster the top of the order. Adam Milne also returns, while Chad Bowes, James Neesham and Rachin Ravindra dropped to the bench.
Pakistan made three changes to their line-up as well. Shadab Khan returns to the side after missing the second ODI, while Usama Mir has been benched. They have also continued to rotate the fast bowlers - Ihsanullah and Haris Rauf have been rested, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim are in.
This is the first game of the series at the National Stadium in Karachi, which will host the last two games of the series too.
Squads:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (capt), Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah
New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Blundell (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (capt), Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry