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Black Caps bowler Kyle Mills - Source: Photosport -
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The Black Caps are likely to be without seamer Kyle Mills when they face Pakistan in the first ODI in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night.
Captain Daniel Vettori told a pre-series media conference: "Kyle is a doubt for the game as he's got a side strain or shoulder injury.
"I think everyone knows he's the number one bowler in the world in one-day cricket so if he misses out it'll be a big loss for us."
And Vettori added the Black Caps, already coming into the series missing opening batsman Jesse Ryder, seamer Daryl Tuffey and all-rounder Grant Elliott, may also be without another seamer with Ian Butler having picked up a knee injury during the recent Champions League Twenty20 tournament.
It means Tim Southee is set to play. And Vettori indicated New Zealand are also likely to look at a two-man spin option with the captain aided by off-spinner Nathan McCullum.
"We haven't seen the wicket yet," he said after the team arrived in Abu Dhabi following preparations in Dubai.
"But we saw the history of it in the Pakistan - Australia matches (in April and May) and spinners dominated from early on so it's more than likely we'll go with two spinners and hopefully that works."
In contrast to New Zealand's difficulties in the build-up with the injuries to Mills and Butler coming on top of the recent departure of coach Andy Moles, Pakistan captain Younus Khan said all had gone smoothly for his side coming into the opening encounter.
"It's been very nice," he said. "We've had three sessions, two in the evening and one in the day and we're very satisfied with preparations.
"At the moment everyone is fit and we're focused on our performance."
Much of the attention is likely to centre on New Zealand's batting which, in world rankings terms at least, has been the side's Achilles heel in recent times.
While Mills, Vettori (third) and fast bowler Shane Bond (fifth) all feature in the top ten of the Reliance Mobile Player Rankings for ODI cricket, the highest ranked Black Caps player in the batting list is Ross Taylor in 25th spot and only Brendon McCullum (29th) joins him in the top 30 places.
But although aware of that disparity, Vettori said he was still content his batsmen could and would deliver in the Cool & Cool Cup.
"It's something we've definitely recognised but if you look at the actual line-up there's some real match-winners with the likes of Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor, and Scott Styris brings a lot of experience," he said.
"So, while we don't have the rankings we'd like, I'd still back those guys to come in and do a job.
"I think these conditions are going to suit the batsmen so hopefully this is their tournament to really step up and make a difference for us."
Younus said one of his attack hoping to wreck Vettori's hopes for competitive scores, 17 year-old left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Aamer, was remaining calm despite hype around his impressive start at international level, which includes an ICC World Twenty20 winner's medal.
"Sometimes if you have a young guy and he achieves everything so soon then he can get out of his focus," he said.
"But he is more focused and I think what he needs is some more muscle as he's a thin guy and he's working with (fitness trainer) David Dwyer to achieve that."
