Cricket New Zealand (NZC) is likely to send a new-look team to Pakistan for the limited-over series in April after the reports that several regular international players will skip the tour in order to play the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Blackcaps are scheduled to take on Pakistan for five T20Is and 5ODIs with the tour set to commence on April 14th.
But their tour is set to clash with India’s IPL with many players set to cash in on the league riches than honouring their national team contracts. As such Kane Williamson (Gujarat Titans), Tim Southee (Kolkata Knight Riders), Devon Conway, and Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings) have reportedly all been cleared to take part in the league already.
Finn Allen (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Lockie Ferguson (KKR), and Glenn Phillips (Sunrisers Hyderabad), who played a starring role for New Zealand in their previous visit to Pakistan, will also be joining their IPL franchises soon.
Cricket New Zealand is unlikely to force its players to prioritize a series against Pakistan over IPL in order to avoid more cricketers like Trent Boult asking out of their contracts.
Cricketing fans in Pakistan are sure to be saddened by the news but must remember that established internationals have also chosen to play Pakistan Super League this season instead of going on national duty.
Pakistan and New Zealand will announce their squads for the series in due course.
