The Men’s New Zealand Cricket team has suffered with major setback as opener Finn Allen and Pacer Adam Milne will be ruled out of the New Zealand tour of Pakistan Tour 2024.
Finn Allen, Adam Milne Ruled Out for Pakistan Series
New Zealand is set to play a five-match T20I series against Pakistan next week for the preparations for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies in June.
With both sides announcing their squad for the upcoming T20 series, New Zealand has suffered from major injury concerns as Finn Allen and Adam Milne have been ruled out of the series due to injury.
Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced the venues for the five-match T20I series. Finn Allen has been suffering from a back injury and Adam Milne is suffering from an ankle injury.
“We feel for both Finn and Adam, suffering injuries so close to the start of the tour. They have been strong performers for us in the T20 format since the last World Cup,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.
“Our support staff and medical networks will be working closely with both players over the next few weeks to complete plans for their treatment and subsequent return to cricket.”
Medical teams have confirmed that neither player will be fit in time to participate in the five-match series starting next week in Rawalpindi.
Wk-Batter Tom Blundell and all-rounder Zak Foulkes have been named as their replacements. Blundell has already played in Pakistan conditions and is expected to add stability to the batting lineup.
“Zak has had an impressive season for Canterbury including being their leading wicket-taker in all three competitions,” Stead said.
“He has displayed impressive skills with the ball, particularly in T20 cricket for the Kings. We also know he has skills with the bat and it will be an excellent opportunity for him to be part of the group.”
The first match of the T20I series will be played on April 18 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan Squad
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan
New Zealand Squad
Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes
