Pakistan will have to make one forced change to their XI for the second ODI against New Zealand. But which way should they go?
The first match of the series in Napier saw Pakistan crumble to a 73-run loss, after conceding 344-9 in the first innings. Mark Chapman starred with 132, while all-rounder Muhammad Abbas scored the fastest-ever fifty by a men's ODI debutant.
1st ODI, New Zealand vs Pakistan
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Without Imam-ul-Haq available for that game, the visitors paired debutant Usman Khan with Abdullah Shafique at the top of the order. Usman impressed in a brief cameo, hitting 39 off 33. However, a hamstring injury sustained in that game means Usman has been ruled out of the second game of the series.
With their options dwindling, and both their batting and bowling in need of a boost, what are their options to replace Usman?
Also read: Babar Azam isn't quite back in form, his strike rotation issues still hold him back
No.1: The specialist spinner
Pakistan did not play a specialist spinner in their first game, despite having two of them – Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed – in the squad. Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali all played, in a four-pronged pace attack. Part-timer Salman Ali Agha was the only spinner, and his five overs went for an eye-popping 67 runs.
Read more: Akif sparkles, Usman smashes: How Pakistan’s three ODI debutants fared v New Zealand
Medium pacer Irfan Khan Niazi also bowled for the first time in his List A career. He did pick up three wickets, but went for 51 in five overs. If neither Usman nor Imam are available, Pakistan could go down the route of pushing Babar Azam to open the innings, and playing one of the spinners. However, with Naseem already a touch high in the batting order at No.8, this change might also necessitate switching out a specialist quick for an all-rounder.
No.2: Go all-in on pace
This decision will largely be dictated by the conditions. They were helpful to the quicks in the first game, and if that is the case in Hamilton as well, Pakistan could be tempted to go all-in with a fifth specialist, again by pushing one of the batters (most likely Babar) to the top.
The slingy Mohammad Wasim Jr would complement the current pace attack well. Naseem can be excellent with the new ball, Akif provides a left-arm angle, Rauf hits the deck and can rush batters and on his best day Ali can be metronomic. Wasim could slot in nicely as a death-overs specialist, and while he might be high at No.7, he boasts greater batting credentials
No.3: The all-rounder
Pakistan had two glaring issues last time around. Their two part-timers conceded 118 in 10 overs, and their bottom six batters contributed a grand total of three runs. The latter is unlikely to happen again, but the former could.
More: Seventy extras in one ODI: New Zealand and Pakistan break dubious national record
Either way, there are options to cover both bases. Khushdil Shah impressed with the bat down the order at the Champions Trophy, and bowls some decent (perhaps not high-quality) left-arm spin. Seam bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf is the other one. He was recalled for the Champions Trophy but did not play. If conditions are seam-friendly, he could be the compromise between having a solid fifth bowler, or ending up with Naseem at No.8.
No.4: Imam returns?
There has been no update as yet on Imam's condition since the first ODI. It may be that he returns to action for the second match, in which case he could simply slot back in at the top in Usman's place.
However, this would not solve the issue of Agha and Irfan sharing fifth bowler duties, potentially leaving them Pakistan exposed with the ball in a similar manner to the series opener.
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