Pakistan will face New Zealand in the first of the five-match ODI series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Regular captain Babar Azam will lead the team on the field, with all-rounder Shadab Khan and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan also likely to be part of the team.
Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was on the sidelines due to a long injury layoff, is also likely to feature in the ODI format for the first time since June 2022.
The series offers both sides the opportunity to feel out each other´s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the World Cup in India in October-November.
"These five matches are crucial for our World Cup preparation," said Azam.
"We have eight ODIs plus the Asia Cup (to get ready) and we will be utilising them to be well prepared."
The Black Caps shocked the home side by squaring a preceding five-match Twenty20 series 2-2 despite missing eight players — including skipper Kane Williamson — due to the ongoing Indian Premier League or injury.
Under stand-in skipper Tom Latham, New Zealand adapted to the conditions skillfully, roaring back from 2-0 down to win the third and fifth matches, with the fourth abandoned after rain.
Pakistan have won five of the seven ODI series that Azam has captained. His two losses came against England in 2021 and New Zealand in January this year.
But New Zealand boast recent dominance over Pakistan.
Of the last six ODI series between them, New Zealand have won five and drawn one. Their last series defeat against Pakistan was at home in 2011.
The other matches of the current series are in Rawalpindi on Saturday followed by Karachi on May 3, 5 and 7.
Pakistan’s likely lineup for first ODI
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Haris Sohail, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz/Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.
— Additional input from AFP