New Zealand star all-rounder Mitchell Santner tests covid positive, gets ruled out of 1st T20I vs Pakistan

New Zealand star all-rounder Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of the first game of the T20I series against Pakistan, which is slated to take place on January 12 at Eden Park in Auckland. Notably, this is a big loss for the home side, as they are set to play the five matches of the T20I series against the Men in Green to boost their preparation for the T20 World Cup 2024. Meanwhile, the great all-rounder will be closely monitored by the medical team to help him make a comeback soon.

“Mitch Santner won’t travel to Eden Park this evening for the opening KFC T20I against Pakistan after testing positive for COVID earlier today. He will continue to be monitored over the coming days and will travel home solo to Hamilton,” New Zealand Cricket wrote on their X account.

Notably, both sides last met in the shortest format of the game in the T20 World Cup 2022, when Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the semi-final game to place themselves in the final of the marquee event. However, Pakistan also emerged victorious against the Kiwis in the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023 in host country India.

New Zealand and Pakistan teams will be aiming to win the series

Meanwhile, the New Zealand and Pakistan teams will be aiming to win the series to boost their camp ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Notably, the Black Caps were eliminated in the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 after Team India thrashed them, whereas Pakistan failed to emerge in the playoffs as they managed to get just 4 wins out of the 9 games they have played so far. Following that, Pakistan lost the Test series against Australia by 0-3.

Pakistan Squad: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi(c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan, Abbas Afridi, Haseebullah Khan

New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson(c), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert(w), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Ben Sears