The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) revealed its squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, which will begin on March 29.
The series kicks off at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday.
Among the notable inclusions are Wellington Firebirds’ Nick Kelly and Muhammad Abbas, who have earned their first BLACKCAPS call-ups.
Kelly, who captains the Firebirds, has enjoyed an exceptional season, amassing 1,307 runs across all formats in 2024-25, including a standout 118 in the List A format.
He leads the Plunket Shield run charts, having scored four centuries in the season.
Abbas, a 21-year-old all-rounder, also had an impressive domestic campaign, notably scoring 340 runs in the Ford Trophy and earning his maiden List A century in February.
Abbas, born in Pakistan, moved to New Zealand at a young age. His father, Azhar Abbas, played first-class cricket in both Pakistan and New Zealand.
With key players unavailable due to IPL commitments, the squad includes a mix of emerging talents like leg-spinner Adi Ashok and experienced internationals such as Tom Latham, who will captain the side in Mitchell Santner’s absence.
The squad also features a balanced pace attack, with Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, and Ben Sears.