New Zealand batsman Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the Pakistan ODI series.
All-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who was initially picked for the Twenty20 series against Pakistan, will join the ODI squad before the second match after completing the mandatory isolation.
- Reuters
- Last Update:September 16, 2021 11:06 AM IST
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New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell will miss the one-day series against Pakistan due to a left quad strain, the tourists said ahead of the first match of Friday’s series in Rawalpindi. All-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who was initially picked for the Twenty20 series against Pakistan, will join the ODI squad before the second match after completing the mandatory isolation.
“Obviously everyone is disappointed for Tom, he’s a quality player with a diverse range of skills,” stand-in coach Glenn Pocknall said in a team statement on Thursday. “He will be with the team and we hope he will be available again for the T20I series.” With Tom out, we lose our first-choice back-up wicket-keeping option.
“However, there are many people in the team with experience and we will ensure that they do the required work in training if they are called upon.” Pocknall and Shane Jurgensen will split coaching duties in Pakistan, as will regular coach Gary Stead. Blundell, who stayed back in New Zealand, was injured during their 3-2 Twenty20 series loss in Bangladesh.
Physio Nishil Shah said, “The injury is not where we want it to be so we feel it is best for him to focus on his rehab given the big heat of cricket.” New Zealand will play three ODIs against Pakistan before moving to Lahore for a five-match Twenty20 series.
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