16 Jan 2024

Black Caps confirm Williamson out for rest of Pakistan series

1:23 pm on 16 January 2024
Pakistan's captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson with the trophy prior to the first T20 cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan.

Pakistan's captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson with the trophy prior to the first T20 cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand Cricket has confirmed skipper Kane Williamson will miss the remainder of the T20 series against Pakistan with a hamstring injury.

Black Caps coach Gary Stead indicated yesterday Willamson was unlikely to play again in the series after suffering a minor hamstring tear while batting during the second T20 in Hamilton at the weekend.

Williamson was due to be rested for game three in Dunedin on Wednesday but will now also miss games four and five in Christchurch on Friday and Sunday.

Batter Will Young has replaced Williamson in the squad.

A timeline for Williamson's return to the field is now being established but it is hoped he will be fit for the test series against South Africa.

The first test in the two-match series is in Tauranga, starting on 4 February.

Meanwhile, tomorrow's third T20 against Pakistan at University Oval in Dunedin is a sellout.

The capacity at the venue is 4000 spectators.

A win will give the Black Caps an unassailable 3-nil series lead.