Jacob Oram is to fly home before New Zealand's opening Twenty20 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 on Friday.

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

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