Trent Boult rested for the final ODI against Pakistan

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have decided to rest their key bowler Trent Boult for the fifth and final ODI against Pakistan. The home side already lead the five-match rubber by 4-0 and is eyeing a complete whitewash of the hapless visitors. The left-arm fast bowler has breathed fire in the home season so far and has taken a bulk of top-order wickets to leave the oppositions reeling early in the game. However, Seth Rance and Ben Wheeler will join the side ahead of the fifth One-Day on Friday.

Boult had an off day in Hamilton as Mohammed Hafeez took a special liking to him conceding 73 runs off his 10 overs picking only a single wicket. He will be most likely replaced by Matt Henry who is the only player to have not played a single match of the series in the 13-man squad. The pacer did well when he last featured for the Kiwis against Windies and deserves an opportunity to prove himself.

Boult to miss the first T20I

Trent Boult has also been rested for the first of the three-match T20I series by the selectors as they continue to rotate the players in order to manage their workload. He will, however, return for the last couple of games on the tour which will be played in Auckland and Mount Maunganui. Kane Williamson, the skipper, will feature in all the three games after being rested in one of the games against the Caribbean side.

The likes of Ross Taylor, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee have been picked for the T2oIs against the Men in Green but are rested at various points in the series. With the ICC World T20 scheduled to be played in 2020, the team management of the hosts is keen on trying out the different combinations. They are also aiming to give chances to the less-experienced players who are currently impressing in the ongoing Super Smash, the domestic T20 tournament.

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