New Zealand’s in-form middle-order batter, Mark Chapman, has been ruled out of the third and final ODI against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury.
The match, set to take place at Bay Oval on Saturday, will conclude the three-match series that has already been clinched by New Zealand with a 2-0 lead.
Chapman missed the second ODI in Hamilton due to a minor hamstring tear. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed that despite efforts to get him back on the field, he has not recovered sufficiently to play in the final match of the series.
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“[Mark] Chapman was ruled out of the second ODI in Hamilton with a minor hamstring tear, and an assessment at training today revealed he has not recovered sufficiently to take his place in the XI for the final match of the home summer,” NZC stated.
With Chapman out, Tim Seifert—who was called in as his replacement for the second ODI—will continue to stay with the squad for the final match.
The Blackcaps have already sealed the series 2-0 and are now aiming for a clean sweep against Pakistan. Given their recent form, they will fancy their chances of finishing the series on a high.
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Pakistan, on the other hand, is desperate to avoid a whitewash. They have not won an ODI in New Zealand since February 2011. With pride on the line, Mohammad Rizwan and his team will be eager to break the streak and end the series on a positive note.
New Zealand Squad for the Final ODI
Henry Nicholls, Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Michael Bracewell (c), Tim Seifert, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young.
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