New Zealand Cricket announces squads for Pakistan series

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced squads across all the formats for their to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where they are scheduled to play against Pakistan. Ajaz Patel has earned his maiden call-up to the Test side after being named Domestic Player of the Year last season. The left-arm spinner was the highest wicket-taker for Central Stags and has deservedly been included in the squad. He will most likely make his debut as Mitchell Santner is still recovering from his knee injury.

Tom Blundell has been named as the backup wicketkeeper for BJ Watling in the Test squad. The latter has also made his comeback to the ODIs having last played in the format for the Kiwis in December 2016 against Australia at the MCG. Only 13 members have been picked in the ODI and the T20I squad as the remaining two members will be selected from ‘A’ squads after considering their performances in the UAE who are set to travel in mid-October.

NZC selector Gavin Larsen justified the inclusion of Ajaz and felt that he deserved an opportunity after his performances in the domestic arena. “Ajaz has deserved his inclusion on the sheer weight of his domestic first-class form over the past couple of summers. With Mitch Santner not fully recovered yet from his knee surgery, it’s nice to have both wrist (Astle and Sodhi) and finger (Patel) spin options, given the likely conditions in the UAE,” he said.

Boult rested for the T20Is

New Zealand will play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20 Internationals against Pakistan during their tour to the UAE. The selectors have rested their premier pacer Trent Boult for the shortest format of the game and the youngsters who played in the U19 World Cup this year have a chance to push for their maiden call-up. The likes of Kyle Jamieson, Blair Tickner and Rachin Ravindra will be in the same country with the ‘A’ side when the T20Is commence.

Larsen was of the opinion that the conditions in the UAE will help the youngsters test themselves in the alien conditions and develop their game accordingly. “This is a great opportunity for us to expose our emerging players to foreign conditions and help develop and expand their games. Given India A will also be visiting New Zealand over the summer, there is a lot to play for,” he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Test squad:

Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Jeet Raval, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling

ODI squad:

Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling

T20I squad:

Kane Williamson (c), Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor

‘A’ squad: