Massive Setback for New Zealand! Skipper Tom Latham ruled out of ODI series against Pakistan, 33-year-old announced as replacement

New Zealand wicketkeeper batter Tom Latham has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan which is scheduled to start from March 29. Latham who was supposed to lead the Blackcaps in ODIs against Pakistan, has fractured his right hand.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said that the wicketkeeper batter got hit by a ball while batting in the nets during training this week, with an X-ray revealing the fracture, which will require a cast and at least four weeks of rest and rehabilitation.

The head coach Gary Stead, confirmed that 33-year-old Henry Nicholls would replace Latham in the squad and their current T20I captain, Michael Bracewell, to continue to lead in the ODIs, with Mitch Hay taking the wicket-keeping gloves.

Nicholls has played 78 ODIs. He was out of action due to a calf-strain sustained in November but returned this month with five 50-plus scores in his six domestic innings.

Apart from them, NZC also mentioned that Will Young will also miss the second and third ODI against Pakistan to be with his wife as they await the birth of their first child.

After the first ODI against Pakistan, 23-year-old Canterbury batter Rhys Mariu will be added to the New Zealand squad as his replacement. 

New Zealand's updated ODI squad vs Pakistan

Henry Nicholls, Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Michael Bracewell (C), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young