• Source:ANI
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New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner will miss the first T20I of the five-match series against Pakistan as he has tested positive for COVID-19. The match is scheduled to take place today at Auckland's Eden Park. Santner's absence from the playing XI is a result of the positive COVID-19 test, and the New Zealand team will have to adjust their lineup accordingly.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the news of the all-rounder's infection.

"Mitch Santner won't travel to Eden Park this evening for the opening KFC T20I against Pakistan after testing positive for COVID earlier today. He will continue to be monitored over the coming days and will travel solo home to Hamilton. #NZvPAK," tweeted NZC.

Also Read: NZ vs PAK 1st T20I Live Score

Santner is a key player in the Kiwi T20I set-up, with 610 runs in 64 innings at an average of 16.94, with one half-century. He has also taken 105 wickets in 93 matches.

New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson(c), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert(w), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Ben Sears.

Pakistan Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi(c), Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi.


Inputs from ANI