Foulkes handed maiden call-up
\nTom Blundell has also been drafted in for the five-match series for which New Zealand were already missing a dozen players
\nIslamabad
\nIn a major blow to New Zealand, two players have been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan which is set to begin from next week.
\nNew Zealand\u2019s Finn Allen and Adam Milne have been removed from the squad for T20 series after they sustained injuries during the training.
\nAllen, the 24-year-old batter and occasional wicket-keeper, suffered a back injury while Milne, the 31-year-old fast bowler, suffered an injury to his ankle.
\nHowever, the team has promptly replaced both injured players and included wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell and all-rounder Zack Fowlkes in the squad.
\nThis is the first time Fowlkes has become part of the squad while Blundell has already visited Pakistan last year.
\nCoach Gary Stead said: \u201cWe feel for both Finn and Adam, suffering injuries so close to the start of the tour. They have been strong performers for us in the T20 format since the last World Cup.
\n\u201cTom is a highly experienced player and along with his wicketkeeping and batting skillsets is a leader in any group he is a part of. He also brings recent experience in the conditions, having taken part in both tours to Pakistan last year,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cZak has had an impressive season for Canterbury including being their leading wicket taker in all three competitions. He has displayed impressive skills with the ball, particularly in T20 cricket for the Kings.\u201d
\nThe New Zealand T20 squad is set to depart for Pakistan today and will arrive in Islamabad on the morning of April 14 and will kickoff the tournament on April 18 at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi.
\nNine top cricketers from New Zealand are already out of the squad due to their commitments to the Indian Premier League (IPL).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Foulkes handed maiden call-up Tom Blundell has also been drafted in for the five-match series for which New Zealand were already missing a dozen players Islamabad In a major blow to New Zealand, two players have been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan which is set to begin from next week. New […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":399858,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-399842","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n