Saqlain Mushtaq was hired as an assistant coach by New Zealand on Tuesday. The team was also named for the forthcoming five-match ODI series against Pakistan.
New Zealand ODI squad:
- Tom Latham (c)
- Tom Blundell
- Chad Bowes
- Matt Henry
- Ben Lister
- Cole McConchie
- Adam Milne
- Daryl Mitchell
- Jimmy Neesham
- Henry Nicholls
- Rachin Ravindra
- Henry Shipley
- Ish Sodhi
- Blair Tickner
- Will Young
Pakistan v New Zealand Schedule:
14 Apr – 1st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi
26 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
30 Apr – 2nd ODI, Karachi
3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi
The NZ board stated that the squad will depart on April 9 the day after the T20 Series against Sri Lanka concludes in Queenstown.
The opening match of the five-match T20I series is on Friday, April 14 in Lahore with the first of five ODIs starting on Wednesday, April 26 in Rawalpindi.
Later this month, when the Black Caps visit Pakistan, the two teams will also compete in a T20I series. Tom Latham will captain the team, and Ben Lister and Cole McConchie will make their professional debuts while on tour.
The regular Canterbury captain was chosen for the T20 squad to tour Pakistan as a result of a successful domestic cricket season in all formats. The second-highest total of any player this season is McConchie’s 1,140 runs across all formats. He has also taken eight wickets.
Lister was named to the ODI squad for the recently concluded ANZ ODI Series match against Sri Lanka but did not play. He now has the opportunity to build on his successful T20 debut against India from earlier this year.
Moreover, the 15-man roster includes additional opportunities for Chad Bowes, Rachin Ravindra, and Henry Shipley, who recently made their ODI debuts. These fresh faces are countered by an experienced core that includes six players from the team that advanced to the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup final.
Nine members of the team have recently traveled to Pakistan as they participated in either the Test or ODI squads that visited Karachi earlier this year. With Saqlain Mushtaq joining the group as an assistant coach, the traveling squads will also gain further expertise in Pakistani conditions.
The possibility of competing against Pakistan in both white ball formats, according to NZ coach Gary Stead, is enticing.
In the previous season, we had a number of thrilling games versus Pakistan in both white ball formats, both at home and away. No matter where you take them on, they are a formidable bunch.
“The successful ODI series earlier this year in Pakistan gave the team significant learning chances, and having extra ODI match experience in a World Cup year is wonderful.
“Having someone with Saqlain’s experience is a major boost for the group and we are looking forward to the insights he can offer us to improve our preparations for local conditions, in particular the help he can bring to our spin bowling group,” the statement continued. Stead praised McConchie for his impressive consistency this season.
“Cole has been a leader for Canterbury and at the New Zealand A level for a few of seasons, but this summer, his efforts to victories in all formats really shone out.
His bat and ball skills are essential, especially given the circumstances we anticipate on this tour. Lister, a player for the Aces, has pleased the coaching staff, according to Stead, with his eagerness to learn since entering the Black Caps organization.
Making your debut in India is a difficult task, therefore it has been wonderful to watch Ben make an effort to take advantage of every opportunity afterward.
