In April, Tom Latham will lead the NZ ODI squad on their tour to Pakistan. This tour will also see the addition of Saqlain Mushtaq as an assistant coach, providing the travelling squad with additional experience and insight into playing conditions in Pakistan.
The NZ ODI squad for the upcoming tour to Pakistan is expected to face a significant challenge as it is without several key players who have been given clearance to participate in the ongoing IPL. This includes Tim Southee, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, and Lockie Ferguson. Adding to the challenge, Kane Williamson, who was also part of the IPL, will miss the tour due to a knee injury. However, the team may have an advantage with the addition of Saqlain Mushtaq as an assistant coach, who until February was the head coach of the Pakistan national side, providing valuable inside information about the current Pakistan team.
NZ ODI Squad Gears up for Pakistan Tour with Debutants and Experienced Core
The NZ ODI squad, led by Tom Latham, is set to embark on their tour of Pakistan later this month with two potential debutants in Ben Lister and Cole McConchie. The 15-man squad also includes recent ODI debutants Chad Bowes, Rachin Ravindra, and Henry Shipley, as well as six members of the squad that made the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Furthermore, nine players from the squad have recent experience in Pakistan, having featured in either the Test or ODI squads that played in Karachi earlier this year. With Saqlain Mushtaq joining the team as an assistant coach, the travelling squads will have the added benefit of extra experience and valuable insights into playing conditions in Pakistan.
The NZ ODI squad selected for the upcoming tour of Pakistan bears resemblance to the one that recently triumphed over Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series, securing a 2-0 victory. Notably, the inclusion of Cole McConchie and Benjamin Lister, both yet to make their ODI debuts, has caught the eye of many. McConchie, in particular, has been in impressive form, ranking as the second-highest scorer across all formats in New Zealand’s domestic competitions this season.
Also Read: Is Mohammad Amir Returning to Pakistan Cricket Team? PCB Finally Broke the Silence
NZ coach Stead on NZ ODI Squad for Pakistan tour
According to New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, the team has had exciting matches against Pakistan in the last season, both at home and away. He added that Pakistan is a tough team to play against, regardless of the location. The successful ODI Series in Pakistan earlier this year provided valuable learning opportunities for the players and having more ODI match experience is great in a World Cup year, Stead said.
“We’ve enjoyed a number of exciting matches against Pakistan across both white ball formats in the last season home and way,”
“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.”
Stead expressed his excitement about having Saqlain Mushtaq’s experience on the team, saying that it would be a significant boost for the group’s preparations for local conditions. He added that Saqlain’s insights would be particularly helpful to the spin bowling group.
“Having someone with Saqlain’s experience is a big boost for the group,”
“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.”
Regarding Cole McConchie, Stead acknowledged his leadership abilities and contributions to winning games across formats. He emphasized that McConchie’s valuable skill set with bat and ball would be crucial, especially in the challenging conditions that they are likely to face during the tour.
“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,”
New Zealand Tour of Pakistan: Schedule and Compensation Agreement
New Zealand’s cricket team plays 5 T20Is and 5 ODIs in Pakistan starting on April 26th, with the first ODI in Rawalpindi and the remaining four in Karachi. The final game of the tour is on May 7th. The tour also includes additional games as compensation for New Zealand’s withdrawal from their Pakistan tour in September 2021 due to security concerns. The team paid an undisclosed amount and agreed to play the extra games, which are now being played.
NZ ODI Squad for Pakistan
Tom Latham (c), 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
Pakistan v New Zealand Schedule:
- 14 Apr – 1st T20I, Lahore
- 15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore
- 17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore
- 20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi
- 24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi
- 26 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
- 30 Apr – 2nd ODI, Karachi
- 3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
- 5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
- 7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi
