New Zealand announce squad for ODI series against Pakistan

Tom Latham will take over as captain, replacing regular white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner, who will be missing out

PHOTO: ICC

The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, which will begin on March 29.

The series will start at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday, March 29. For this series, Tom Latham will take over as captain, replacing regular white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner, who will be missing out.

The squad features a mix of experienced players and fresh faces. Eight of the 13 players named were part of New Zealand's ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Among the newcomers, top-order batter Nick Kelly and left-arm pacer Muhammad Abbas, both representing Wellington Firebirds in New Zealand's first-class cricket circuit, have earned their first call-ups to the national team.

Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner have all been ruled out due to their commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Veteran Kane Williamson is also unavailable for selection.

Will Young, who scored a century in the opening match of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan, will partner Kelly at the top of the order. Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, and Mitch Hay will form the middle order.

The bowling department will see Will O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, and Ben Sears leading a four-pronged pace attack, with Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson missing out. Henry is recovering from a right shoulder injury, which also kept him out of the Champions Trophy Final earlier this month. Jamieson has been rested as part of a workload management plan.

In the spin department, all-rounder Michael Bracewell will be joined by 22-year-old Auckland Aces leg-spinner Adi Ashok, who has earned a second call-up after making his debut against Bangladesh in 2023.

The first ODI will be played at McLean Park in Napier on March 29.

New Zealand squad:

Tom Latham (c), Muhammad Abbas, Adi Ashok, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young

Series schedule: