"babar-azam"

Kohli scored two half-centuries in the three-match ODI series against Australia which India lost 1-2 last year in December.

Announcement from team doctor Sohail Saleem came just hours after captain Mohammad Rizwan said Azam had batted well in the nets but wanted more practice time

Pakistan reached New Zealand's target of 174 with two balls to spare, ending on 177 after Iftikhar Ahmed sealed the win with a six in the final over

While Babar has fractured his right thumb, Imam has injured his left thumb during training sessions in Queenstown last week

Babar, who has been Pakistan's top run-scorer across all three formats since last year, suffered a fracture in his thumb during a throw-down session in Queenstown on December 12 which ruled him out of the three-match T20 series.

"It looks to be a very good pitch and we want to get a good score on the board," said stand-in captain Shadab Khan.

Speaking on who is the best cricketer between the two, South African cricketer Faf du Plessis, who is in Pakistan participating in the Pakistan Super League, said, I do see similarity between Kohli and Babar.

Babar Azam has 837 points, 18 less than Rohit, who is in the second position. Babar has gained valuable rating points to move closer to leading Indian pair of Kohli and Rohit.

The actual match finished in a tie after Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hit the final delivery of the 50th over from Richard Ngarava for a boundary to level the scores at 278