New Zealand Announces Squad for Pakistan T20I's

New Zealand Announces Squad for Pakistan T20I’s

Ferguson will only play in the final three games, and Williamson will miss the third Twenty20 International while Henry and Conway will play in all five of New Zealand's Twenty20 Internationals against Pakistan.

(Cricket News) All-rounder Rachin Ravindra was rested after being on the road since August of last year. Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson have recovered well from their respective injuries, and Devon Conway and Kane Williamson have also returned after periods of rest.

Henry was sidelined for two months following his right hamstring injury sustained during the World Cup match against South Africa in Pune. He will play competitively for Canterbury in a Super Smash T20 match against Central Districts on January 5 before joining the New Zealand squad of 13 in Auckland next week.

Fast bowler Ben Sears has been included for the first two Twenty20 Internationals, but Henry has been selected for all five Twenty20 Internationals. Ferguson, who sustained an Achilles injury during the World Cup, has been included for the last three Twenty20 Internationals. Ferguson will play for Auckland in three Super Smash matches over the next two weeks before being called up to the New Zealand squad.

“It is great to be welcoming back Matt, Devon, Lockie, and Kane,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. “They are four quality players in their own right and their skills and experience will bolster our side.

With just three T20I series left before the T20 World Cup, all matches are vitally important for our preparation.” Williamson, who was rested for the Bangladesh ODIs and T20Is, will miss the third T20I against Pakistan as he continues to monitor his knee injury. Otherwise, he will resume the captaincy duties for the remaining four games.

With just three Twenty20 International series remaining before the Twenty20 World Cup, all matches are vitally important for our preparation. “It is great to be welcoming back Matt, Devon, Lockie, and Kane,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. “They are four quality players in their own right and their skills and experience will bolster our side.”

Stead also explained why Ravindra was being rested, having played in five countries in the previous five months. Ravindra was the fourth-highest run-scorer at the World Cup and was later acquired by CSK at the IPL auction for INR 1.8 crore.

“We want to look after Rinchen’s wellbeing because he is a young player who is very important to New Zealand Cricket,” Stead stated. “He is the only player or staff member who has been touring nonstop for the past five months across five countries, and that is simply not sustainable. He will still be considered for the T20 World Cup in June and the T20 series against Australia in February.

The rest of the team is similar to the one that drew the Twenty20 International Series against Bangladesh last week; Trent Boult and James Neesham were unable to play because of T20 commitments abroad, and Kyle Jamieson and Michael Bracewell were not taken into consideration as they continued to heal from their injuries. The first of the five T20Is will take place in Auckland on January 12 and will be followed by matches on January 14, 17, 19, and 21.

NZ squad for Pakistan T20Is: Kane Williamson (C) (except game 3), Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson (game 3 only), Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ben Sears (games 1 & 2), Lockie Ferguson (games 3, 4 & 5).