Tauranga's Bharat Popli has been selected to play for a New Zealand XI to face Pakistan in a 50 over warm-up match at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Wednesday, January 3.
The 27-year-old top-order batsman has been in good form for Northern Districts and made 62 for a New Zealand XI against the Windies in Whangarei in December.
Pakistan will play five ODIs and three T20 Internationals against the Black Caps, with the first match at the Basin Reserve this Saturday, January 6.
New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen says Pakistan arrive having won the recent ICC Champions Trophy and are a "formidable one-day team".
"Their pace bowling attack is one of the best in the world and they have a number of match winners throughout their side.
"The NZ XI have a big challenge ahead of them, but it's a great opportunity to test themselves against world-class opposition."
The match will be live-scored at nzc.nz
New Zealand XI
Fraser Colson (c) — Wellington; James Baker — Northern Districts; Michael Barry — Auckland; Ben Beecroft — Auckland; Mark Craig — Otago; Jack Boyle — Canterbury; Michael Davidson — Canterbury; Lachie Johns (wk) — Wellington; Matt McEwan — Auckland; Aniket Parikh — Auckland; Bharat Popli — Northern Districts; Michael Rae — Otago