When New Zealand tours Pakistan in April, Tom Latham will lead the ODI team.
The 15-member roster is much smaller than New Zealand’s full strength squad because Tim Southee, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, and Lockie Ferguson have all been given permission to compete in the ongoing IPL. But, because of a knee injury, Kane Williamson, who participated in the IPL, is no longer eligible.
“We’ve enjoyed a number of exciting matches against Pakistan across both white ball formats in the last season home and away,”
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said.
“They are a tough team no matter where you take them on.
“The successful ODI Series earlier this year in Pakistan provided big learning opportunities for the players and having more ODI match experience is fantastic in a World Cup year.”
Due to a recent addition to their coaching staff, New Zealand is expected to have inside knowledge about the current Pakistani team. Saqlain Mushtaq, who led the Pakistani national team as head coach until February, has joined New Zealand as an assistant coach.
“Having someone with Saqlain’s experience is a big boost for the group,”
Stead said.
“We are looking forward to the insights he can offer us to aid our preparations for local conditions, and in particular the assistance he can provide to our spin bowling group.”
The team matches that which recently hosted Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI series, which New Zealand won by a score of 2-0. There are two players who have yet to play in an ODI: Cole McConchie and Benjamin Lister. McConchie is the second-highest scorer overall in all forms in New Zealand’s domestic championships this season.
“Cole has been a leader for Canterbury and at New Zealand A level for a number of seasons but his contributions to winning games across formats really stood out this summer,”
Stead said.
“His skill set with bat and ball is a valuable one, especially in the conditions we are likely to face on this tour.”
Five T20Is and then five ODIs will be played in Pakistan when New Zealand arrives. The first ODI will be played on April 26 in Rawalpindi, followed by the last four in Karachi. On May 7, the last game will be played.
In order to make up for New Zealand’s decision to cancel their visit to Pakistan on the day of the first game in September 2021, due to security concerns, the tour has been extended with additional games.
New Zealand paid Pakistan an undisclosed quantity of money in May 2022 in exchange for their agreement to take part in the extra matches, which are being realised now.
New Zealand ODI squad:Tom Latham (capt),Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young.