Pakistan’s preparations for the opening ODI against New Zealand took place indoors in Napier on Friday as rain forced the squad to hold an optional practice session.

Batters, including captain Muhammad Rizwan, honed their skills against throwdowns in the nets, while Rizwan also went through wicketkeeping drills. Star batter Babar Azam was seen warming up, ensuring he remains in rhythm for the three-match series.

One of the notable sights in training was young left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem working on his bowling.

Muqeem, who took two wickets in the fifth T20I against New Zealand, had limited opportunities in the shorter format, prompting questions over his selection. However, his presence in the ODI setup suggests Pakistan could consider him for the upcoming matches.

T20I captain Salman Ali Agha was also actively involved in the session, joining the younger players as they prepared for the challenge ahead.

The series will be Pakistan’s first ODI assignment since the ICC Champions Trophy, where their performances drew criticism.

However, head coach Aaqib Javed recently backed the team’s more experienced ODI squad to deliver positive results.

Pakistan and New Zealand will kick off the series on Saturday, with the first match starting at 11 AM local time.