Due to a shoulder injury, Josh Clarkson was left out of the New Zealand team for the third Twenty20 International against Pakistan. The batsman, who has never played Twenty20 Internationally, was originally expected to start in place of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. The series’ third Twenty20 International is scheduled for January 17.
Williamson, who has struggled with a knee injury for the majority of the past year, will sit out the third Twenty20 international of the series before playing in the remaining two matches. Will Young has joined the Black Caps’ roster to take Clarkson’s place. Young participated in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 last year and is a regular in the New Zealand ODI lineup. With 14 T20Is played, he has scored 260 runs at an average of 20. Although Williamson missed the first Twenty20 International due to COVID-19, Mitchell Santner is predicted to captain New Zealand in the third Twenty20 International.
Saim Ayub (27 in eight balls, two fours and three sixes) and Mohammed Rizwan (25 in 14 balls, two fours and two sixes) gave Pakistan a good start in the chase of 227, but Babar Azam (57 in 35 balls, six fours and two sixes) did not receive any support, and Pakistan was bowled out for 180 in 18 overs.
Team: Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (matches 1 and 2), Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Will Young (match 3 only), Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson (matches 3, 4 and 5).
Tour Itinerary
2nd T20I – January 14, Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd T20I – January 17, University Oval, Dunedin
4th T20I – January 19, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
5th T20I – January 21, Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
