New Zealand announce squad for Pakistan Test series, Ish Sodhi makes return

New Zealand cricket has announced the red-ball contingent that will tour Pakistan for the Test series scheduled to commence on December 26. The Test series against Pakistan will mark Tim Southee’s first assignment as skipper of the side as Kane Williamson relinquished the role earlier on Thursday, December 15.

The veteran pacer will lead a new side without the likes of Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson. However, spinner Ish Sodhi and flamboyant batter Glenn Phillips earned the call-up from the side ahead of the tour. New Zealand coach Gary Stead opined that the series against the Babar Azam-led side will be an exciting one for the new side under Southee.

"It’s going to be a new experience and the kind of challenge that excites this group. We’ve naturally been keeping an eye on the current Test series against England, particularly the last two Tests of the series held in Multan and Karachi, where we will play. This series will be the first for Tim Southee as Test captain and together we’re both looking forward to getting into our work for the tour,” said Stead as quoted by Cricbuzz.

New Zealand to play penultimate WTC series in 2021-23 cycle

The red-ball fixtures scheduled to be played against Pakistan is the penultimate World Test Championship series for New Zealand in the 2021-23 cycle. The Kiwis are out of the running to defend their title as the likes of Australia, India, and South Africa are in contention to make it to the summit clash of the event.

The two teams will lock horns in a two-match Test series which will commence with the Boxing Day Test on December 26 in Karachi. Following the conclusion of the Test series, the sides will then engage in a three-match ODI series starting from January 10, 2023.

New Zealand Test squad for Pakistan: Tim Southee (c), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.