Williamson, Boult among key players to miss New Zealand’s Pakistan tour due to IPL
New Zealand are set to tour Pakistan for a limited-overs series in September. The series also marks the start of teams touring to the Asian nation, with England too likely touring later in the year. The three-match ODI series is set to begin from September 17, two days after the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League resumes in the UAE.
As per sources, then the top eight players from New Zealand the likes of Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Seifert, James Neesham, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Mitchell Santner, and Lockie Ferguson are most likely not going to be part of the white-ball series in Pakistan. All the above players are vital to their respective IPL franchises and have confirmed the availability for the remaining 31 games.
Either Tim Southee or Tom Latham will lead the side in Pakistan in the absence of regular skipper Kane Williamson, who will away be captaining Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH). Apart from New Zealand the skipper, even Boult and Ferguson are key players for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) respectively, as reported by Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, the three ODI matches between Pakistan and New Zealand are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualification 2023. Also, the five-match T20I series promises to be a fascinating affair with a third position battle between the teams. Although the first-choice players from New Zealand most likely wont be part of eight limited-overs matches, the series presents youngsters such Devon Conway, Finn Alan and Ajaz Patel a chance to showcase their skills ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
Top England players may miss the Pakistan tour
After New Zealand, England are set to travel to Pakistan for a two-match T20I tour in mid-October. The tour is during the same time as the playoffs of the IPL. Already England skipper Eoin Morgan has confirmed his availability for KKR in the UAE leg.
While Jos Buttler is most likely going to miss the T20 league due to his wife expecting their second child during that time. Apart from that, the England Cricket Board (ECB) has given green signal to its players to play in the IPL, which might lead them to miss the Pakistan tour.
