Josh Clarkson is replaced by Will Young in the New Zealand squad for the third Twenty20 international match against Pakistan

Due to a shoulder injury, Josh Clarkson was left out of the New Zealand team for the third Twenty20 International against Pakistan. The batsman, who has no T20I playing experience, was initially slated to start in place of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson in the third T20I. On January 17, the series’ third Twenty20 International will occur. Williamson, who has struggled with a knee injury for the most of the last year, will sit out the third Twenty20 international of the series before playing in the next two matches. Will Young has joined the Black Caps’ roster to take Clarkson’s place.

Young participated in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 last year and is a mainstay in the New Zealand ODI lineup. With 14 T20Is played, he has scored 260 runs at an average of 20.

Although Williamson missed the first Twenty20 International due to COVID-19, Mitchell Santner is predicted to captain New Zealand in the third Twenty20 International.

In the first encounter of the series in Auckland, the Kiwis romped to a decisive 46-run victory. Tim Southee became the first player to achieve 150 T20I wickets, making history in the game. Daryl Mitchell (61 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes), captain Kane Williamson (57 in 42 balls, with nine fours) and Finn Allen (34 in 15 balls, with three fours and three sixes) were key contributions guiding Kiwis to 226/8 in 20 overs.

Saim Ayub (27 in eight balls, two fours and three sixes) and Mohammed Rizwan (25 in 14 balls, two fours and two sixes) gave Pakistan a good start in the chase of 227, but Babar Azam (57 in 35 balls, six fours and two sixes) did not receive any support, and Pakistan was bowled out for 180 in 18 overs.

Team: Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (matches 1 and 2), Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Will Young (match 3 only), Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson (matches 3, 4 and 5).