New Zealand has named a 13-player squad for their upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, with Tom Latham as the captain. Latham is one of eight players from the Champions Trophy squad, but some regulars are missing because of IPL commitments, and pacers Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson are out due to injury recovery and managing their workload.
Top-order batter Nick Kelly is getting his first call-up after scoring 749 runs in the Plunket Shield, which includes four centuries. Muhammad Abbas, who moved from Pakistan to New Zealand when he was just one, scored 340 runs in the Ford Trophy and was also part of the New Zealand A team against Australia A last year. Adi Ashok is back in the squad after a couple of years away. The NZC selector noted that with the ODI World Cup two years off, it’s a good chance to try out new players and bring a few back into the fold.
Sam Wells, the head selector, mentioned that with some regular players unavailable, they’ve picked a group of young talent ready for international cricket. He said, “With the next ICC ODI event still two and a half years away, this series is a great chance to bring in these players now.”
Nick has been a standout player in domestic cricket, known for his power-hitting and ability to bat in any top-order position. “Mo is also a promising young batsman and he adds an extra bowling option, which we need with Rachin and Glenn unavailable,” Wells added.
Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and Will O’Rourke remain key players, with Nathan Smith returning for this ODI series.
Here’s the New Zealand ODI squad for the Pakistan series: Tom Latham (c), Muhammad Abbas, Adi Ashok, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, and Will Young.
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