PAK vs NZ: New Zealand ODI Squad For Pakistan Tour Announced, Tom Latham To Captain The Kiwis

Opening batter Tom Latham will captain New Zealand in the side’s upcoming ODI series away against Pakistan.

Latham has been one of the most consistent red-ball batsmen for the Blackcaps. He has captained his national side before, most recently in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, winning the 3-match series 2-0.

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NZ will take on Pakistan in a 5-match T20 and a 5-match ODI series. Touring 3 nations in the sub-continent in the first four months of the year signifies that New Zealand are preparing for the ODI World Cup in India in October-November.

Also read: PAK vs NZ: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) To Give More Chances To Youngsters In The T20I Series Against New Zealand

Praising their opponents for the upcoming series, NZ head coach Gary Stead said –

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“We’ve enjoyed a number of exciting matches against Pakistan across both white ball formats in the last season home and way. They are a tough team no matter where you take them on.”

Also read: DC vs GT: “It’s A Big Blow For Us” – New Zealand Coach Gary Stead On Kane Williamson’s Injury Ahead Of 2023 World Cup

The team that Tom Latham will captain against Pakistan will be a severely depleted one, as big-name players like Tim Southee, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, and Lockie Ferguson are playing in the IPL. Regular captain Kane Williamson was to play in the IPL too before he suffered a tournament-ending injury in the opening match.

Despite a depleted squad, NZ, under Tom Latham, will look to give tough competition to a full-strength Pakistan.

Saqlain Mushtaq appointed as the assistant coach for New Zealand ahead of the Pakistan tour

Ahead of a 10-match tour to Pakistan, New Zealand has appointed Pakistani spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq as their assistant coach.

Mushtaq was, until recently, head coach of the Pakistan National Team, before stepping down from the post in January 2023. Having been appointed in September 2021, his tenure saw the national side make it to the semi-final and the final of the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cup respectively.

Mushtaq has been appointed by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) as a short-term coach, for the Pakistan tour, which will see Tom Latham captain a depleted NZ squad.

Also read: NZ vs SL: Sri Lanka Miss Out On Direct Qualification For The ICC Men’s ODI World Cup After Losing To New Zealand In The 3rd ODI

On the other hand, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Mickey Arthur as their head coach, ousting interim coach Abdur Rehman.

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