Conway, Ferguson, Williamson, and Henry return for Pakistan T20I:- While Ferguson will only play the last three games and Williamson will miss the third T20I,
Henry and Conway will feature in all five T20Is.
With Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson recovering from their respective illnesses, as well as Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, returning from the rest period,
New Zealand has picked a full-strength squad for the five-match T20I series against Pakistan.
All-rounder Rachin Ravindra had taken a break since August last year after traveling.
After injuring his right hamstring during a World Cup match against South Africa in Pune, Henry missed two months.
He will play his first competitive game for Canterbury on 5 January in a Super Smash T20 match against Central Districts.
Next week, he will travel to Auckland to join New Zealand’s 13-man squad.
Ferguson, who suffered an Achilles injury during the World Cup, has been named for the last three Twenty20 Internationals, while Henry was selected for all five.
Before joining the New Zealand team, Ferguson will play three Super Smash games for Auckland over the next two weeks. The first two Twenty20 Internationals will feature Ben Sears, a fast bowler.
Conway, Ferguson, Williamson and Henry return for Pakistan T20I
Williamson will miss the third Twenty20 International against Pakistan as he is monitoring his knee condition. He was rested for Bangladesh ODI and T20I.
If not, he will regain the captaincy for the remaining four matches.
Josh Clarkson, an uncapped batsman from Central Districts, has been called up as cover for the third Twenty20 International, while Mitchell Santner will serve as captain.
“We’re excited to have Matt, Devon, Lockie and Kane back,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. “All four of them are excellent players in their own right, and their knowledge and abilities will strengthen our team.
There are only three Twenty20 International series left until the Twenty20 World Cup, so every game counts for our preparation.”
Stead gave an explanation for Ravindra‘s exemption, citing his five-month tour of five different countries.
After finishing the World Cup as the fourth-highest run-scorer, Ravindra was bought by CSK in the IPL auction for Rs 1.8 crore (approximately US$216,000).
“Rachin is a young player who has great importance for New Zealand cricket and so we want to look after his well-being,” Stead said.
“It is not possible for him to be the only player or staff member who has been traveling continuously to five different countries for the last five months.
His name will be reconsidered for the T20 series against Australia in February and He is still part of our plans for the T20 World Cup in June.”
The remainder of the squad is the same as the team that played in the Twenty20 International series draw against Bangladesh last week.
Due to their continued recovery from injuries, Kyle Jamieson and Michael Bracewell were not considered. Trent Boult and James Neesham were unable to play due to international T20 obligations.
Auckland will host the first of five Twenty20 Internationals on 12 January and the next three on 14, 17, 19 and 21 January.
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