Tag: New Zealand

HARARE: South Africa continued their dominance over Zimbabwe after securing a five-wicket win despite a fighting half-century from Sikandar Raza in the opening match of a Twenty20 international tri-series at Harare Sports Club on Monday.

New Zealand will play its first match of the tournament when it meets South Africa at the same venue on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe were restricted to 141 for six after being sent in, with captain Sikandar Raza top-scoring with 54 not out. Sikandar Raza’s knock was laced with three fours and two sixes.

Both teams showed multiple changes following a two-match Test series in Bulawayo, which South Africa won comfortably.

Opening bowler Lungi Ngidi took a wicket and conceded only seven runs in a three-over opening spell.

Left-arm spinner George Linde took three for 10, including two wickets for four runs in the last over.

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South Africa lost three wickets in the six-over power play against aggressive left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava and seamer Trevor Gwandu.

But new cap Rubin Hermann (45) and hard-hitting player of the match Dewald Brevis, who thrashed 41 off 17 balls, put on 72 for the fourth wicket to ensure a comfortable win.

South African captain Rassie van der Dussen praised the two young batters. “There was a little bit of pressure up front,” he said. “Losing three wickets in the power play was not ideal, but their partnership was brilliant.”

Brevis hit five sixes and a four in his innings, including three successive sixes off leg-spinner Ryan Burl.

Sikandar Raza praised Ngarava and Gwandu, who took three for 35 and two for 15, respectively.

“It was the first game of the winter (in Harare) and we weren’t sure of the wicket,” said Raza of his team’s batting performance. At least we know these are going to be high-scoring games,” Sikandar Raza concluded.

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New Zealand opener Finn Allen has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe, starting July 14, after sustaining a foot injury during the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 season.

Allen, who was representing the San Francisco Unicorns, picked up the injury during the league stage and will not be available for the MLC playoffs either.

The Unicorns are scheduled to face MI New York in the Eliminator on Wednesday, but have opted not to name a replacement for Finn Allen.

According to a statement issued by New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Allen’s recovery timeline will be determined once he returns to New Zealand and undergoes further specialist consultations.

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“Allen’s recovery timeline will be determined once he has returned to New Zealand and received further specialist consultations,” the statement read. “A replacement player will be named in due course.”

It’s worth noting that during Unicorns’ final league game against Los Angeles Knight Riders on July 6, Finn Allen was dismissed for 4 in the first over during a steep chase of 244.

Despite that, Allen finished the league stage as the Unicorns’ second-highest run-scorer with 333 runs in nine matches.

His tally includes a record-breaking 151 against Washington Freedom in the tournament opener in Oakland, the highest individual score in MLC history.

READ: Washington Freedom storm into MLC 2025 final after rain washes out Qualifier 1

AUCKLAND: New Zealand have named a 15-member squad, excluding ace batter Kane Williamson, for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, slated to commence from July 30 in Bulawayo.

The squad, which is not part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), features some new faces alongside the return of several experienced players.

Among the notable absentees from the squad are Black Caps stalwart Williamson and off-spinner Michael Bracewell.

Kane Williamson is unavailable for the series due to his county commitments. Following his stint with Middlesex, the batting maestro will feature in the Hundred, representing the London Spirit.

Meanwhile, Bracewell, who is currently featuring in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA, will also feature in the Hundred. The off-spinner is picked by Southern Brave for £200,000 according to a statement given by New Zealand Cricket board.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter shed light on both players’ absence from the squad, noting that he respects the duo’s decision.

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Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process,” Walter said.

He added, stating that, “While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact that these Tests aren’t part of the ICC World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion.”

The new-look pace attack of New Zealand will be spearheaded by Matt Henry, while Will O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, and Matthew Fisher will provide ample support with raw pace.

The 25-year-old Fisher has been added to the New Zealand squad for the first time, as Kyle Jamieson, who is awaiting the birth of his first child, is unavailable. Apart from Jamieson, Ben Sears is also not available due to an injury.

Henry Nicholls has returned to the Test squad after two years on the back of excellent domestic form, while left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel is also in the squad after returning from an injury.

New Zealand Test squad

Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young

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JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday named the T20I squad for the upcoming tri-nation series featuring Zimbabwe and New Zealand, with Rassie van der Dussen set to lead the side in the absence of regular captain Aiden Markram.

The tri-series, scheduled to be played in Harare from July 14 to 26, will mark South Africa’s first T20I assignment under the new all-format head coach Shukri Conrad.

Several senior players have been rested for workload management, paving the way for a number of new faces.

Among them is Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who finished as the leading run-scorer in the recent SA20 season and has received his maiden international call-up.

Corbin Bosch, who has previously represented South Africa in ODIs and Tests, is also in line to make his T20I debut.

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Wicketkeeper-batter Rubin Hermann and all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy, both of whom impressed in domestic competitions, have also been included, with the latter already having Test and ODI experience.

“Lhuan-dre and Rubin have been rewarded for their strong SA20 campaigns. We’re also excited to see how Corbin Bosch adapts his skill set to the T20 format,” said Conrad.

The Proteas will be further bolstered by the return of pacers Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee, who are currently active in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States after recovering from injuries.

Dewald Brevis, meanwhile, is set to make his long-awaited return to the national setup after nearly two years.

“This T20I tri-series marks the start of our preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup,” Conrad further stated.

“Resting senior players allows us to test our depth and give these youngsters the chance to prove themselves at the international level.”

South Africa squad for tri-series: Rassie van der Dussen (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane.

Tri-nation T20I series schedule:

• 1st T20I, 14 July – Zimbabwe vs South Africa
• 2nd T20I, 16 July – South Africa vs New Zealand
• 3rd T20I, 18 July – Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
• 4th T20I, 20 July – Zimbabwe vs South Africa
• 5th T20I, 22 July – New Zealand vs South Africa
• 6th T20I, 24 July – Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
• Final, 26 July – Number 1 vs Number 2

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The Pakistan hockey team has reportedly been invited to participate in the upcoming season of the FIH Pro League after New Zealand withdrew due to financial constraints.

According to the sources, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) reached out to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) with a formal invitation, opening the door for the Men in Green to feature in the prestigious global event.

This marks a significant opportunity for Pakistan to climb the international rankings and re-establish its presence on the world stage.

New Zealand had earlier secured qualification for the Hockey Pro League by defeating Pakistan in the final of the FIH Nations Cup held in Malaysia.

However, with the Black Sticks pulling out, Pakistan have now been offered their spot.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan’s recent campaign at the FIH Nations Cup ended on a bittersweet note, as they finished runners-up after a 6-2 defeat to New Zealand in the final.

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Despite a strong start to the tournament, the Pakistan hockey team were outplayed in the title clash.

New Zealand had two early goals disallowed but eventually broke through in the sixth minute via a penalty corner from Scott Cosslett. Sam Hiha added another just before the first quarter ended.

The Kiwis then tightened their grip in the second quarter, adding three more goals through Dylan Thomas, Sean Findlay, and Scott Boyde to take a 5-0 lead into half-time.

The Pakistan hockey team mounted a fleeting resurgence in the third quarter, spurred on by a striking goal from Zikriya Hayat that momentarily ignited hopes for a turnaround.

However, their struggles became evident as they failed to capitalise on five crucial penalty corners, a missed opportunity that ultimately proved costly.

Cosslett added his second of the night in the final quarter to make it 6-1, before Sufyan Khan scored a late consolation.

READ: Pakistan captain Ammad Butt declines PSB luncheon over THIS reason

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakistan hockey team has qualified for the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Hockey Cup, despite the hosts, Malaysia, emerging victorious against Japan here on Wednesday.

Malaysia secured a 2-1 win against Japan but was eliminated from the tournament due to goal difference and points with Pakistan.

The Green Shirts reached the semi-finals with nine goals while Malaysia scored eight in their three matches of the tournament.

The semi-finals of the event will take place on June 20th, with Pakistan facing France and New Zealand playing Korea.

On day three of the tournament, Malaysia dominated the game against Japan, leading with two goals till the third quarter. Sumantri Norsyafiq opened the account, scoring the opening goal in the last stage of the first quarter.

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In the second quarter, Azrai Abu Kamal fired another goal as Malaysia took a 2-0 lead with an eye on the final four spot. Japan put in a strong effort in the third quarter and earned plenty corners. However, solid Malaysian defence kept them away from the nets.

However, Yamasaki Koji dashed Malaysian hopes of qualifying for the semi-final with a goal in the penultimate half of the match.

Earlier, the New Zealand hockey team came from behind in a thrilling encounter to defeat Pakistan 4-3, sealing a semi-final spot.

Pakistan had a 3-1 lead for most of the third quarter, but New Zealand’s Scott Cosslett struck two goals, which levelled the scores.

The match became tense in the last quarter of the game as both teams sought to score a goal, but for Blackstick, it was Scott Cosslett again who scored the decisive goal, giving his team a thrilling victory.

Pakistan defeated Japan comprehensively, while the match with Malaysia ended in a draw.

READ: Nations Hockey Cup: New Zealand come from behind to down Pakistan

KUALA LUMPUR: The New Zealand hockey team came from behind in a thrilling encounter to defeat Pakistan 4-3 in the ongoing FIH Nations Cup 2025 here on Wednesday.

With three wins in three games, New Zealand secured top position in Pool B.

Pakistan had a 3-1 lead for most of the third quarter, but New Zealand’s Scott Cosslett struck two goals, which levelled the scores.

The match started with New Zealand Nic Woods scoring a goal in the first quarter; however, Pakistan fought back with Abdul Rehman scoring two vital goals, which brought his team into a dominant position.

Pakistan showed determination as New Zealand players were kept at bay for most of the second quarter. Meanwhile, Rana Waheed Ashraf struck another goal as the scorecard read 3-1.

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With this lead, the match was going Pakistan’s way, but the third quarter dashed Pakistan’s hopes of topping Pool B. New Zealand scored twice in the second-to-last quarter as the scores were level.

The match became tense in the last quarter of the game as both teams sought to score a goal, but for New Zealand, it was Scott Cosslett again who scored the decisive goal, giving his team a thrilling victory.

Earlier, Pakistan defeated Japan while the match with the hosts, Malaysia, ended in a draw. With four points, the Green Shirts now have ample chance to qualify for the semi-final of the Nations Cup.

Currently, Pakistan sits in second position in pool B with four points, while Malaysia will face Japan in the upcoming encounter.

Pakistan squad for FIH Nations Cup

Ammad Butt (captain), Rana Waheed (vice captain), Muneer-ur-Rehman, Abdullah Ishtiaq, Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Sufyan Khan, Abdul Manan, Hamad Anjum, Arshad Liaquat, Moeen Shakeel, Zikriya Hayat, Ghazanfar Ali, Salman Razaq, Junaid Manzoor, Afraz Khan, Abdul Rehman, Ahmed Nadeem and Mohibullah.

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New Zealand players are set to miss the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 as the tournament prepares to restart following days of conflict between India and Pakistan.

A few days earlier, the unexpected political tensions between India and Pakistan led to the postponement of IPL and PSL, triggering a schedule clash after both boards revised their respective calendars post-ceasefire.

The PSL, initially promised for May 18, has now been squeezed into a nine-day window from May 17 to May 25, becoming a casualty of the scheduling conflict.

The tournament  is all set to resume on May 17 with Karachi Kings facing Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Rawalpindi will host three matches, including a double-header on Sunday, May 18, with Quetta Gladiators taking on Multan Sultans in the afternoon, followed by a clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars in the evening.

The last match at the venue will see defending champions Islamabad United face Karachi Kings on May 19.

After that, the action will move to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which will host the business end of the tournament.

The Qualifier, Eliminator 1, and Eliminator 2 are scheduled for May 21, 22, and 23, respectively, with the grand final to be played on May 25.

According to the sources privy to the information, New Zealand players, including Kyle Jamieson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell and Finn Allen, are expected to miss the remainder of the tournament due to No Objection Certificates (NOCS).

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In light of the situation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently in discussions with the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) regarding their availability, with an official announcement expected soon.

Revised Schedule of PSL 10

17 May – Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

18 May – Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium; Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

19 May – Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

21 May – Qualifier 1, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

22 May – Eliminator 1, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

23 May – Eliminator 2, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

25 May – Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

READ: Former England batter joins Islamabad United for remainder of PSL 10

New Zealand Cricket (NZC), in a landmark move that could reshape cricket’s global footprint, has announced the launch of its own franchise in the United States’ Major League Cricket (MLC), set to debut in the 2027 season.

The development follows an agreement between NZC and US-based True North Sports Ventures (TNS), a key player in promoting the sport across North America.

The deal will see NZC offering high-performance and operational support, including coaching, management, and support staff, while integrating the new franchise into New Zealand’s domestic high-performance structure.

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NZC chief executive Scott Weenink termed the partnership a strategic leap forward, positioning New Zealand at the heart of the global evolution of cricket while tapping into the lucrative US sports market.

“This agreement marks a unique and exciting milestone for NZC,” said Weenink. “As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network.”

He emphasised that the collaboration will not only diversify NZC’s revenue streams and expand its international brand presence but also open fresh pathways for talent development and retention, both for players and coaches.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

True North Sports Ventures, too, sounded upbeat about the venture.

“The potential for cricket in North America is immense,” a TNS statement read. “We look forward to working with NZC to deliver on both our ambitions and theirs, including broader strategic and corporate opportunities globally.”

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MOUNT MAUNGANUI: New Zealand middle-order batter Mark Chapman has been ruled out of the third and final ODI against Pakistan, set to be played here at Bay Oval on Saturday.

Chapman, who played a match-winning knock in the series opener, sustained a hamstring injury while fielding in the second innings of that match. Subsequent scans confirmed a grade-one tear, forcing him to miss the second ODI of the series.

According to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the left-hander was assessed during the team’s training session ahead of the third ODI, but he had not recovered sufficiently to make a return.

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“BLACKCAPS batter Mark Chapman has been ruled out of the third and final Chemist Warehouse ODI against Pakistan at Bay Oval tomorrow with a hamstring injury,” NZC said in an official statement.

“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.”

With Chapman sidelined, Tim Seifert, who was brought in as his replacement for the second ODI, will remain with the squad for the final game.

READ: Pakistan squad carries out training session ahead of final New Zealand ODI