Ross Taylor has been ruled out of New Zealand's upcoming one-day international series against Australia and Pakistan.
MRI scans showed Taylor had suffered an oblique sidestrain to his left side while batting in Friday's 95-run Twenty20 win over Pakistan.
Taylor will leave the squad to begin rehab and continue to be monitored.
The experienced batsman lasted only four balls against Pakistan in Wellington.
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said Taylor's injury would be carefully managed.
"He's certainly in a little bit of discomfort. Those things can be minor, or they can be significantly worse," Hesson said.
Hesson said Taylor had initially tweaked his side in a net session two days ago, but had been ruled fit to start the third and deciding T20 match. He scored six before being forced from the field after becoming tight in a slightly different area.
Allrounder Corey Anderson continued his return to form in Friday's comprehensive ODI win.
His big hitting played a key role for the Black Caps as they set Pakistan a challenging 197 after being sent in to bat.
The 25-year-old left-hander scored 82 not out from 42 balls, hitting four sixes amongst his 10 boundaries, as the Black Caps reached 5-196.
It marked a return to form for Anderson, who had played in all four of New Zealand's January T20s, but batted just twice, scoring 2 and 0.
Anderson also took two early wickets before limping off with cramp, but Hesson says his prospects are bright going into Monday's opening ODI against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve.
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