New Zealand all rounder Jacob Oram will fly home from Dubai today after receiving news his wife, Mara, may be having the couple's first child early.
The Black Caps, due to play the first of two Twenty20 matches against Pakistan tomorrow morning (NZT), will also be without leading bowler Kyle
Mills because of a shoulder injury.
Mills may be available for the second Twenty20 match.
James Franklin, forced to miss the 2-1 one-day series win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi because of a back injury, came through light practice overnight and may be available for the Twenty20s.
The second match is on Saturday morning.
Skipper Daniel Vettori said with New Zealand "down to a skeleton squad as usual... a decision, probably between BJ Watling and Neil Broom on the 11th spot (for the first match)".
Despite New Zealand's problems, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said he did not believe they would be easy to beat in the Twenty20s.
"The New Zealanders are doing well and they have confidence after winning the (one-day) series so it'll be a great game."
Pakistan have a remarkable record of 19 wins from 25 matches in Twenty20 internationals which is one reason for Afridi's confidence in his side, but Vettori said there was still a way to beat them.
"We're certainly up against a quality side, the world champions, but just like the one-day games we know the plans and the plans work when we put them into place," Vettori said.
"It's purely execution... the real onus is on our bowlers to step up and restrict Pakistan because if we get things slightly wrong then they can hurt us."
Vettori played down reports that he was being troubled by a shoulder injury.
"I haven't been 100 per cent fit for a long time.
"It's just one of those things where you manage injuries. I'm doing that at the moment and hopefully I can hold on for a while yet."
- NZPA
