Depleted New Zealand batting first against Pakistan in T20

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan in the first Twenty20 of the five-match series on Thursday.

The series is preparation for the T20 World Cup in June in the Caribbean and United States.

Light drizzle delayed the toss for half an hour, but no overs were deducted.

Pakistan awarded T20 debuts to batters Usman Khan and Irfan Khan along with leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed after all three impressed in the recent Pakistan Super League.

Usman Khan was banned by the Emirates Cricket Board for five years for shifting his allegiance to play for his country of birth, and got the attention of Pakistan selectors after scoring back-to-back hundreds in the PSL.

Fast bowler Mohammad Amir came out of retirement for the T20 World Cup and returns to international cricket at his home venue after four years.

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