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Prior to the ODI series against New Zealand, Pakistani selectors did a U-turn and reinstated Haris Rauf in the team. From March 29 to April 5, Pakistan and New Zealand will play a three-match ODI series. After their Champions Trophy disaster, Pakistan sought to add new players, therefore, Haris Rauf was initially left out of the roster for the three-match series.
However, according to news agency Press Trust of India, Haris has joined the ODI team, which has started practicing for the forthcoming series. A PCB source claims that selector Aaqib Javed had also asked for Muhammad Haris or Usman Khan to be kept for the ODI series, which starts in Napier on Saturday, and that a backup wicketkeeper-batter be added to the ODI team.
Both skipper Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, who were benched for the T20I series, will rejoin the ODI team. Following their lackluster performances in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan passed up their premier pacers, Haris and Shaheen Shah Afridi, for the ODI series. The two bowlers were not selected for the 50-over format, even though they were selected for the just finished five-match T20I series.
However, in the T20I series against New Zealand, Haris Rauf displayed his class by taking seven wickets and making an impression on batter-friendly pitches. In the series, which Pakistan lost 1-4 on Wednesday, March 26, he claimed seven wickets. The selectors had to reconsider their decision in light of Haris's performances in the T20I series. Shaheen has not rejoined the ODI team, though, after being left out of the last T20I on Wednesday.
Pakistan ODI Squad vs New Zealand
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 and Tayyab Tahir, Haris Rauf.
