Pakistan batter Usman Khan has been ruled out of the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that he sustained the injury while fielding during the opening match of the series on March 29. An MRI scan revealed a low-grade tear, ruling him out of the Hamilton clash.
“The MRI scan confirmed a low-grade tear, making Usman unavailable for the second ODI scheduled on April 2 at Seddon Park in Hamilton,” the PCB stated in a media release.
Usman was in good touch during the first game and had a strong chance of retaining his spot, but the untimely injury has disrupted his momentum.
His ODI debut came after opener Imam-ul-Haq was sidelined from the first match due to a soft tissue injury on his right big toe, sustained during practice. With Usman ruled out and Imam’s fitness still in doubt, Pakistan faces a selection dilemma ahead of Wednesday’s crucial encounter.
After spending the entire Champions Trophy 2025 on the bench, Usman impressed in his ODI debut, scoring 39 off 33 balls while opening the batting. He provided a solid start, putting together an 83-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique for the first wicket. However, his dismissal while attempting a pull shot against Nathan Smith came at a crucial moment. Despite the best efforts of Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan fell short by 73 runs. With that loss, the second ODI now becomes a must-win encounter for the visitors.