Kiwis welcome Mills return

New Zealand are expected to welcome back fast bowler Kyle Mills to their staring XI for the second match of their three-ODI series against Pakistan on Friday.

Mills was ruled out of the series opener, which the Kiwis lost by 138 runs, with a shoulder injury but has since recovered and fellow pace Tim Southee ace will in all likelihood make way for the senior star's return.

New Zealand are already without opening batsman Jesse Ryder, seamer Daryl Tuffey and all-rounder Grant Elliott, all ruled out of the series due to injury.

Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori hoped to combat spinners Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal come Friday's clash in Abu Dhabi. Fiery all-rounder Afridi proved instrumental in Pakistan's victory in the first ODI, striking a whirlwind half-century before bagging two key wickets. Ajmal also snapped up two scalps, racking up very economical figures in the process.

"Afridi has got to another level as a bowler and the partnership he is forming with Ajmal is real key to Pakistan's success," insisted Vettori.

Pakistan skipper Younis Khan hoped to build on Tuesday's hefty win and eyed a possible series whitewash.

"It is important that we keep the winning momentum, win the second after which we have a chance of a clean sweep," concluded Khan.