HAMILTON: Pakistan opener Usman Khan has been ruled out of the side’s second fixture of the ongoing three-match One-day International series agai­nst New Zealand due to a hamstring injury, the country cricket board said on Sunday.

Usman, who made his ODI debut in the series opener on Saturday, endu­red a “Low-Grade tear” while fielding during the match, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The right-hander scored 39 runs in the match, which Pakistan lost by 73 runs.

He was handed a debut after first-choice opener Imam-ul-Haq’s soft tissue injury to his right big toe, which he sustained during a practice session.

Imam is likely to be unavailable for the second match, to be played in Hamilton’s Seddon Park on April 2, leaving Pakistan without a regular opener for the all-important clash.

Pakistan lost the preceding five-match T20I series 4-1 and will end the tour with the final ODI in Mount Maunganui on April 5.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025