Babar Azam fractured his right thumb while facing throw-downs on Sunday and has been ruled out of the white ball games by the Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB).
“During this period, the doctors will continue to monitor Babar’s injury before confirming his participation in the first Test, which starts at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 26 December,” the PCB release said.
It’s a major blow for Pakistan who head into the T20I series as the underdogs against a New Zealand who easily dismantled the West Indies earlier this month.
However, the Black Caps have a major injury setback of their own, losing talented quick Lockie Ferguson with a partial stress fracture in his back ruling him out for six weeks.
While Ferguson is an emerging force, Azam is Pakistan’s leader and the number two ranked batsman in international T20I cricket.
“We’re all really feeling for Lockie,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “Injuries are certainly part of our sport, but to get something like this when you’re at the very top of your game is especially disappointing.
“The pace and skill he’s been able to consistently produce has made him one of the very best white ball bowlers in the world and a huge asset.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will also miss the first T20I after celebrating the birth of his first child with his wife, meaning Mitch Santner will take the reigns.
The first T20I is in Auckland on Friday, before Williamson joins up for the second and third matches in Hamilton and Napier on Sunday and Tuesday respectively.
The two nations will also meet in two Tests starting on Boxing Day in Mount Maunganui.