ISLAMABAD: Pakistan batsman Usman Khan has been ruled out of the second ODI against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Sunday.
The 29-year-old opening batsman suffered the injury while fielding during his team’s first ODI against New Zealand at MacLean Park in Napier on Friday. According to the statement, an MRI scan confirmed a low-grade tear, making Usman unavailable for the second ODI scheduled for April 2 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
The Pakistani team is in New Zealand for the three-match ODI series in which the Kiwis hold a 1-0 lead. After facing each other for the second match on Wednesday, the sides will face each other for the final ODI at Bay Oval on Saturday, April 5.
Pakistan were chasing a mammoth target of 345 in the first ODI and the team made a confident start with debutants Usman Khan and Abdullah Shafiq putting on an opening stand of 83 runs.
Both batsmen took an aggressive approach with a strong foundation. However, the breakthrough came in the 13th over when Nathan Smith dismissed Usman for 39. Pakistan lost the match by 73 runs after the Kiwis were bowled out for 271 in 44.1 overs.
