India, Feb. 8 -- Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has strongly hinted that Babar Azam will open the batting alongside Fakhar Zaman in the team's opening match of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand on Saturday. The series, featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, marks the return of the tri-series format to international cricket after a prolonged absence.

Pakistan will be without Saim Ayub for both the tri-series and the upcoming Champions Trophy at home, as the young batter failed to recover in time from the leg injury he sustained during the South Africa tour.

When Pakistan announced their squad for the Champions Trophy, it was revealed that either Babar Azam or Saud Shakeel would open alongside the returning Fakhar Zaman...