Tom Latham ruled out of ODI series against Pakistan due to hand injury

Tom Latham, the skipper on the Kiwis side, has been ruled out for the ODI series, and now Bracewell will take on the new skipper duties for the bilateral ODI series. Earlier, Latham had led New Zealand against the Men in Green in the bilateral T20I series, winning it one-sidedly with 4-1.

In the recent developments around the series, Latham has been ruled out of the three-match one-day series against Pakistan with a hand injury on Thursday, and now Michael Bracewell will continue on the KIWIS side as captain. Tom was announced as the Black Caps captain with regular skipper Mitchell Santner being busy with his IPL commitments. Now, after the injury reports, Bracewell will lead New Zealand, who are coming with a 4-1 victory in a T20 series against Pakistan.

Latham Injured, Bracewell continues as ODI Captain

Latham sustained the injury during the net practice sessions of the team earlier this week and has been ruled out for the same reason. With an X-ray confirming the fracture. He will need to wear a cast and undergo “at least four weeks of rest and rehabilitation,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) revealed.

With the ongoing injury he would need at least four weeks to recover and the ODI series against Pakistan on 29 March 2025. Following this, Michael Bracellwell has been handed the leadership duties.

Head coach Gary Stead expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and felt it was an opportunity for other players to step up.

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose Tom as captain on the eve of the series and we wish him a speedy recovery. The side is in safe hands with Michael who’s done a great job through the T20I series.

“We’ve had to be flexible this tour with numerous players unavailable for different reasons,” Stead said. 

“What it does do is offer opportunities to other players and it’s nice to introduce Rhys into the environment for the first time, as well as welcome back Henry.

Along with Tom, Will Young will also miss the last two ODIs for the team, to be with his wife as the couple is expecting the birth of their first child. He will play the season opener match and then will be replaced by uncapped Canterbury batter Rhys Mariu, who has earned his maiden call-up. 

New Zealand’s Updated Squad For Pakistan ODIs

Muhammad Abbas, Adi Ashok, Michael Bracewell (C), Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay (WK), Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young (match 1), Rhys Mariu