The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) on Monday selected its roster for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, due to begin on March 29.
The series will commence at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday. This Chemist Warehouse ODI series is Nick Kelly and Muhammad Abbas’ first BLACKCAPs call-ups. Kelly was selected after a strong season as Wellington Firebirds captain and hitter.
The 31-year-old, set to start the batting with Will Young, has 1,307 runs in all three formats in 2024-25, including his fifth List A century (118) against Canterbury in February. He tops Plunket Shield run charts with 749, including four century.
Abbas, who played for New Zealand A versus Australia A last summer, scored 340 Ford Trophy runs at 42.50. He scored his first List A century (104) against Central Stags in February. Young Abbas was born in Pakistan and relocated to New Zealand with his family.
Azhar Abbas, his father, played first-class cricket for Pakistan, Auckland, and Wellington. His job is Firebirds assistant coach. The 21-year-old all-rounder, a bright white-ball prospect, will bring middle-order stability and left-arm seam bowling.
absent due to IPL?
Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips are absent due to IPL commitments, so the lineup is a mix of young and experienced players.
After making his international debut against Bangladesh in December 2023, Auckland Aces leg-spinner Adi Ashok, 22, has been called up for his second ODI squad. Tom Latham, who will skipper the team without Santner, is one of eight players from the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai earlier this year.
Young will join Kelly at the top, with Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell offering experience. Mitch Hay will cover batting and wicket-keeping, while Michael Bracewell, who is captaining the BLACKCAPS in the T20I series against Pakistan, will cover spin-bowling all-rounder.
After a hiatus to manage his effort, Will O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, and Ben Sears will lead the pace attack.
Matt Henry is out due to right shoulder and left knee rehabilitation. Kyle Jamieson, who played in the first three T20Is against Pakistan, will also miss the series as the selectors continue monitoring his workload following the ICC Champions Trophy. Due to his absence, Kane Williamson was not considered.
Players with complete national and domestic contracts were preferred with over two years till the next ICC Cricket World Cup. Sam Wells, BLACKCAPS chief selector, stressed the series’ depth-building potential.
With the next ICC ODI pinnacle event two and a half years away, this series is a great chance to introduce or, in Adi’s case, reintroduce these individuals to international cricket.” Batting coach Luke Ronchi will assist Gary Stead. While Jacob Oram rests, NZC development coach Graeme Aldridge will coach bowling.
New Zealand ODI squad:
Tom Latham (C/WK), Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young
Pakistan-New Zealand ODI series schedule:
- 29 Mar – first ODI, McLean Park, Napier
- 2 Apr – second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton
- 5 Apr – third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
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