PAK vs NZ: Kane Williamson Retires Hurt, Walks Off Field During 2nd T20I Against Pakistan

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has retired hurt during the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series against Pakistan. Kane Williamson is unlikely to resume batting in this ongoing T20I match, and his participation as the captain remains uncertain.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Afridi won the toss and opted to bowl in Hamilton on Sunday, January 14. Openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway provided a flying start in the power play. The duo added 59 runs in 5.1 overs before Conway (20) was dismissed by Aamer Jamal.

Kane Williamson Walks Off Field Due To Harmstring Issue

Kane Williamson walked off the field after receiving treatment from the physio during New Zealand’s batting. According to the commentary, the skipper’s decision was influenced by a hamstring issue, raising questions about his further availability in the ongoing match.

Kane Williamson has retired hurt on 26 in 15 balls. pic.twitter.com/oZvAgXSdSB

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 14, 2024

Kane Williamson Will Not Return To The Field In Second T20I

New Zealand Cricket officially announced Williamson’s retirement decision was taken as a precautionary measure due to tightness in his right hamstring. The Black Caps stated that he would not be making a return to the field for the remainder of the match.

“Kane Williamson will not return to the field in KFC T20I 2 in Hamilton as a precautionary measure after experiencing tightness in his right hamstring while completing a run in the 10th over and retiring hurt,” wrote the caption.

https://x.com/BLACKCAPS/status/1746432271618392332?s=20

Williamson has faced a series of injuries, including an ACL rupture in the first match of the IPL 2023. Despite a quick recovery to participate in the ODI World Cup in India, he encountered another setback with a broken thumb during a match against Bangladesh. He was set to miss the third game of the ongoing series against Pakistan.

New Zealand Manages To Score 194 Runs In 20 Overs

Williamson and Finn Allen formed a 52-run partnership for the second wicket before the skipper walked off the field. The No. 3 batter scored 26 runs off 15 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six. He was replaced by all-rounder Daryl Mitchell at the crease.

Allen scored 74 runs off 41 deliveries, featuring 7 boundaries and 5 sixes, before being dismissed by Usama Mir. Following Allen’s wicket, they experienced a collapse in the batting lineup. They managed to score 57 runs in the last seven overs but lost six wickets.

The home team started the five-match series with a 46-run victory against the Shaheen Afridi-led team in Auckland on Friday, January 12. Williamson smashed a half-century in the series opener, scoring 57 runs off 42 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries.

Also read: NZ vs PAK: New Zealand T20 Squad For Pakistan Announced, Kane Williamson Returns