The New Zealand cricket team has announced its Test squad for the upcoming tour of Pakistan, featuring the return of leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and batsman Glenn Phillips, as well as the inclusion of uncapped player Blair Tickner. The 15-member squad, led by Tim Southee as captain following Kane Williamson's resignation, will play two Test matches in Pakistan, the first of which begins in Karachi on December 26.
Sodhi, who last played a Test match four years ago, has a strong first-class record with 279 wickets at an average of 33 and has recently become just the fifth male player in the world to claim 100 T20I wickets. Despite not playing much red-ball cricket lately, the selectors have faith in Sodhi's skills and experience and believe that his wrist-spin will be important in the current conditions and style of play in Pakistan.
Phillips, who played his only Test in 2020 against Australia, is a T20I specialist with 56 caps and a current ICC T20I batting ranking of seven. He will partner Ajaz Patel as the second spinner on the tour. Tickner, who has been part of the Test squad for the series against South Africa and England, is yet to make his debut, but has played 20 white-ball internationals.
Coach Gary Stead congratulated the trio on their inclusion in the squad and acknowledged the demands of the international white-ball schedule that have limited Sodhi's red-ball opportunities. "It's always an exciting time for a player to be selected in a Test squad and even more so when you've been away for an extended period of time," said Stead. "I know all three of the guys have a real passion for the longest form of the game and are looking forward to getting into their red-ball work at the pre-tour camp in Lincoln this week."
The tour will be played without senior pacers Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson, with Boult making himself unavailable and Jamieson continuing to recover from a back injury. The absence of these experienced players will be a challenge for the team, but the inclusion of Sodhi, Phillips, and Tickner brings a mix of experience and fresh talent to the squad. It will be interesting to see how the team fares in Pakistan and how these players contribute to the team's performance.
New Zealand Test squad for Pakistan:
Tim Southee (c), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner,
Kane Williamson, Will Young.