Karachi (Web Desk): Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first against New Zealand in the final of the Tri-Nation Series in Karachi.
Having stormed into the final with a resounding victory over South Africa, where they pulled off their highest-ever successful chase of 353 runs, Pakistan enters the decider with boosted morale.
However, the team will be without the services of pace ace Haris Rauf, who is sidelined with a lower chest muscular strain.
Despite this setback, the hosts have brought in versatile all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in place of Mohammad Hasnain, who had replaced Rauf earlier in the series.
For New Zealand, the absence of Rachin Ravindra due to a concussion is a significant blow. Ravindra, who sustained a blow to the forehead in a previous encounter with Pakistan in Lahore, has been ruled out of the final after suffering persistent headaches. Although he passed the initial Head Injury Assessment, the 25-year-old will need to clear further tests before returning to action.
With both sides fielding their best line-ups despite these challenges, the final promises to be a captivating battle.
Teams
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy