McConchie and Lister make Black Caps squad for Pakistan

Cole McConchie
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Tom Latham will lead a Black Caps ODI Squad in Pakistan later this month featuring two potential debutants in Ben Lister and Cole McConchie.

The regular Canterbury skipper is also part of the T20 Squad to tour Pakistan and has won selection on the back of a strong season across all formats in domestic cricket.

McConchie’s 1140 runs across formats are the second most of any player this season while he’s also picked up eight wickets.

Lister featured in the ODI Squad to face Sri Lanka during the recently completed ODI Series but didn’t take the field and has the chance to add to his international T20 debut against India earlier this year.

The 15-man squad also features further opportunities for recent ODI debutants Chad Bowes, Rachin Ravindra and Henry Shipley.

Those new faces are balanced by an experienced core including six members of the squad that made the final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Nine players from the squad also have recent experience in Pakistan, featuring in either the Test or ODI Squads that played in Karachi earlier this year.

The traveling squads will also have the benefit of extra experience in Pakistani conditions with Saqlain Mushtaq joining the group as an assistant coach.

Saqlain Mushtaq
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Gary Stead said the prospect of taking on Pakistan across both white ball formats was an exciting one.

“We’ve enjoyed a number of exciting matches against Pakistan across both white ball formats in the last season home and way. They are a tough team no matter where you take them on.

“The successful ODI Series earlier this year in Pakistan provided big learning opportunities for the players and having more ODI match experience is fantastic in a World Cup year.

“Having someone with Saqlain’s experience is a big boost for the group and we are looking forward to the insights he can offer us to aid our preparations for local conditions, and in particular the assistance he can provide to our spin bowling group.”

Stead said McConchie’s consistency this season had been impressive.

“Cole has been a leader for Canterbury and at New Zealand A level for a number of seasons but his contributions to winning games across formats really stood out this summer.

“His skill set with bat and ball is a valuable one, especially in the conditions we are likely to face on this tour.”

Stead said that Lister, who plays for the Aces, has impressed the coaching group with his desire to learn since joining the BLACKCAPS environment.

“Making your debut in India is a big challenge and it’s been great to see Ben really try and soak up every opportunity since then.”

Ben Lister
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

BLACKCAPS ODI Squad for Pakistan

Tom Latham (c)

Tom Blundell

Chad Bowes

Matt Henry

Ben Lister*

Cole McConchie*

Adam Milne

Daryl Mitchell

Jimmy Neesham

Henry Nicholls

Rachin Ravindra

Henry Shipley

Ish Sodhi

Blair Tickner

Will Young

*Potential debut

Pakistan v New Zealand Schedule:

14 Apr – 1st T20I, Lahore

15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore

17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore

20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi

24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi

26 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

30 Apr – 2nd ODI, Karachi

3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi

5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi

7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi