PAK vs NZ: Imam-ul-Haq Injured in Practice, Pakistan Likely to Go with Babar-Abdullah Duo

After taking a heavy loss in the T20I series, Pakistan’s cricket team is facing another big setback right before they kick off a three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting March 29 at McLean Park in Napier.

Pakistan’s cricket team managed to just one win, while the Black Caps ended a five-match T20I series with a 4-1 score. Now, both sides are getting ready to duke it out in a three-match ODI series on March 29, April 2, and 5.

Right before the three-match ODI series kicks off with the Black Caps, Pakistan’s opener Imam-ul-Haq got injured during practice. With him out of the game, it looks like Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique will step in to open in the first ODI against New Zealand.

🚨IMAM UL HAQ INJURED DURING PRACTICE SESSION🚨

Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique are likely to open in the 1st ODI against New Zealand ( Ejaz Wasim Bakhri ) pic.twitter.com/q9j5A9N6wO

— Cricket Pakistan's Army (@CricPKArmy) March 28, 2025

Pakistan Selectors Prioritize Young Talent Over Senior Duo

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan aren’t expected to be part of the T20I squad anytime soon. The selectors are sticking with the young guns for now, focusing on shaping fresh talent for the future.

Right now, the Pakistani players are gearing up for PSL 2025. After that, the Men in Green will take on Bangladesh in a three-match ODI and T20I series in May, and then they’re off to the West Indies for a white-ball tour in July and August, where they’ll play three ODIs and three T20Is.

In August, they’ll also play three T20Is against Afghanistan before heading into the Asia Cup in September. Following that, they’re set to host Ireland in a three-match series for both ODIs and T20Is, and then they’ll face South Africa in a full series that includes 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 3 T20Is.

Later in November, they’ll be up against Sri Lanka in another three-match series for both formats. With such a busy T20I schedule and preparations for the T20 World Cup in 2026, the senior duo won’t be mixing it up in T20s they’ll now be focusing on ODI and Test cricket.