Tom Latham to lead New Zealand in Pakistan ODIs

image-lg16dnldNZ players during first ODI against SL (Twitter/ICC)

Tom Latham is set to lead New Zealand’s ODI team in Kane Williamson’s absence in their upcoming series against Pakistan. The Black Caps are set to make their second trip to Pakistan in three months, this time for five T20I matches and as many ODIs between April 14 and May 7.

Tom Latham appointed as ODI skipper in Williamson’s absence

Tom Latham has been appointed as captain of a 15-player New Zealand ODI squad, set to depart to Pakistan later this week. Regular skipper Williamson has been ruled out owing to an injury he sustained to his right knee during an IPL 2023 fixture in India.

Apart from Latham, the squad features potential ODI debutants Ben Lister and Cole McConchie. Senior cricketers Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry among others are also included in the side as the Black Caps gear up for the upcoming 2023 World Cup.

New Zealand team is currently engaged in a three-match T20I tussle against Sri Lanka at home. The ongoing series will be followed by a trip to Pakistan, where the action will commence on April 14 with the first T20I affair in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The venue will also host the subsequent two matches, before the series closes out at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Meanwhile, the ODI series will commence on April 26 with the opening match. While the ODIs are not part of the Super League, they serve as a testing ground for both sides ahead of this year’s ODI World Cup in India.