Live With Cricket

Jacob Oram is to fly home before New Zealand's opening Twenty20 International against Pakistan in Dubai to be with his wife, who is expecting their first baby.

All-rounder Oram will be one of two Kiwi absentees for the match on Thursday, with seamer Kyle Mills out with a shoulder injury.

Mills will stay with the team in the hope he may be fit again in time for the second Twenty20 game on Friday.

New Zealand are hoping all-rounder James Franklin, who practised on Wednesday, will be available for both matches.