New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named a formidable New Zealand T20 squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan, featuring the return of pace-bowler Matt Henry, Captain Kane Williamson, and opening batter Devon Conway.
Henry, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury during the ICC Cricket World Cup in India, is set to make a comeback to the T20 squad after two months. His return to competitive cricket is scheduled for Friday when his team, Canterbury Kings, faces off against Central Stags in a Super Smash contest at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Both Williamson and Conway are rejoining the squad after a well-deserved break following their participation in the Bangladesh Test tour.
The 32-year-old Matt Henry is expected to join the 13-member New Zealand T20 squad in Auckland next week before the series opener against Pakistan at Eden Park. However, Williamson will miss the third T20I in Dunedin due to ongoing management of his knee injury. Uncapped Josh Clarkson has been called in as cover, and Mitchell Santner is set to captain in Williamson’s absence.
Rachin Ravindra, who isn’t considered as a replacement for Williamson in the third game, is taking a break after being on the road with the Black Caps since August. This decision was made by NZC in collaboration with Cricket Wellington.
Lockie Ferguson, recovering from an Achilles injury, is set to return to action through the Auckland Aces. He will play three Super Smash games before joining the Black Caps for the final three games of the T20 series against Pakistan.
As a result of Ferguson’s absence, 25-year-old fast-bowler Ben Sears has been included for the opening two games of the Pakistan series, continuing his impressive run in the T20 side from the recent series against Bangladesh.
New Zealand T20 squad for the Pakistan series:
- Kane Williamson (c) (games 1,2,4 & 5)
- Finn Allen
- Mark Chapman
- Josh Clarkson (game 3 only)
- Devon Conway (wk)
- Lockie Ferguson (games 3,4 & 5)
- Matt Henry
- Adam Milne
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Mitchell Santner
- Ben Sears (games 1 & 2)
- Tim Seifert (wk)
- Ish Sodhi
- Tim Southee
With these key players back in the mix, the New Zealand squad looks well-prepared to take on Pakistan in what promises to be an exciting T20 series.
