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Several prominent members of the New Zealand cricket team will be absent from the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan in April due to their obligations in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Notable players such as Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Trent Boult will miss the Pakistan tour.
New Zealand is expected to field a less experienced team, likely composed of emerging talents who showcased their skills in the recent New Zealand domestic T20 competition, Super Smash. Last year, during a similar scenario, Tom Latham led the second-string ODI and T20I squads against Pakistan. However, with Tim Southee potentially available, he might be entrusted with the captaincy this time.
Henry Nicholls emerged as the top run-scorer in New Zealand’s domestic T20 tournament this season, while Latham also displayed commendable form. The team management faces a choice between seasoned campaigners like Nicholls and Latham or opting for young batters such as Tim Robinson and Chad Bowes. Robinson and Will Young were the only batters to score centuries in the Super Smash this year, whereas Bowes exhibited promise during the previous tour to Pakistan.
Regular T20I squad members like Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, James Neesham, and Ish Sodhi are expected to be included in the touring squad, providing stability and experience to the team.
New Zealand’s probable squad:
Finn Allen, Will Young, Tim Seifert (wk), Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Josh Clarkson, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (c), Adam Milne, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister, Jacob Duffy, Tim Robinson/Henry Nicholls, Chad Bowes/Tom Latham
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