• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

New Zealand vs Pakistan: New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell will not be part of their fifth and final T20I match against Pakistan as he has been pulled out with the hosts already ahead in the series.

The decision to rest Mitchell has been taken in order to manage his workload heading forward as the batter already contributed with two fifties in the four matches.

New Zealand have already won the five-match series and are 4-0 up as they eye a complete whitewash over the Shaheen Afridi-led side.

 

ALSO READ: TATA To Remain IPL Title Sponsor Until 2028

 

Mitchell will be replaced by Rachin Ravindra, who had himself initially been rested for the series.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said that the decision was taken keeping in mind Mitchell's workload and the international commitments that follow the ongoing series, as well as the fact that the hosts already have the result of the series in their favor.

 

ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo Wins 2023 Globe Soccer's Maradona Award 

 

We've made a call to give Daryl Mitchell a break from this game. We've obviously got some important Test matches leading up," Stead said. "Daryl's a three-format player, so it's really important that we do manage his workload over this period. He's highly likely to play a big part in the rest of our [home] season. So we just thought this is an opportune time [to give him a break], given the series is won.

"But it's also nice to introduce Rachin back into the side. He's been on a period of break and came back and played one game for Wellington Firebirds [in the domestic T20s]. He fits well into the team in the role that we'd like him to play."

Mitchell has been a key performer for the Blackcaps across formats in the past few months and has played in 28 of New Zealand's 34 international matches since August 30 last year.

The six matches that he missed were both three-match ODI series against Bangladesh - the first one away in September 2023, while the other at home in December.

New Zealand will be hosting South Africa for a two-Test series which begins on February 4 followed by a three-match T20I series and two Tests against Australia at home.

Ravindra, meanwhile, last played for New Zealand in the third ODI against Bangladesh in Napier on December 23.


Update on Conway

Stead also mentioned that the final call on the participation of opening batter Devon Conway in the fifth T20I match would be made only on the morning of the match.

Notably, Conway was ruled out of the fourth T20I due to COVID-19, as the star batter continues to remain symptomatic.

"We'll make a call tomorrow morning on Devon; he still has symptoms at the moment," Stead said. "But hopefully the next 24 hours, and that will be a much better position for him. We won't know that until tomorrow morning, and we'll make the call then."

However, the hosts once again put up a dominant performance and thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in the fourth match to extend their lead in the series.

The fifth and final T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan is scheduled to be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday, January 21.