Kelly, Abbas Earn First New Zealand Call-Ups; Williamson to Miss Pakistan ODIs

Kelly, Abbas Earn Maiden New Zealand Call-Ups as Williamson Sits Out Pakistan ODI Series

Wellington duo Nick Kelly and Muhammad Abbas have received their first-ever call-ups to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan at home. Regular captain Kane Williamson made himself unavailable for selection.

Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will also miss the series as selectors manage his workload following his participation in the Champions Trophy and recent T20Is against Pakistan. Senior pacer Matt Henry continues his rehabilitation from shoulder and knee injuries and remains sidelined.

With several first-choice players unavailable—either due to injury or IPL commitments—the ODI squad sees a number of fresh faces. Will O'Rourke, who returned for the latter part of the T20I series, will spearhead the pace attack alongside Ben Sears, Jacob Duffy, and Nathan Smith. Legspinner Adithya Ashok has been recalled for the first time since December 2023.

Ashok, viewed as a potential successor to Ish Sodhi, had a standout Ford Trophy season with 10 wickets in 7 matches at an economy rate under five. With Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips all away at the IPL, Ashok will form a revamped spin duo alongside Michael Bracewell.

Bracewell, who captained the recent T20Is, hands over leadership duties to Tom Latham for the ODIs. Mitch Hay, coming off an unbeaten 86 in the Ford Trophy final, joins the squad as backup wicketkeeper.

Kelly is expected to open alongside Will Young in the absence of Devon Conway and Ravindra. The 31-year-old has been in outstanding domestic form—320 runs at a strike rate over 100 in the Ford Trophy and currently leading the Plunket Shield with 749 runs at an average close to 58.

Muhammad Abbas, 21, is regarded as one of New Zealand’s brightest young batting prospects. Son of former Pakistan seamer Azhar Abbas Haraj, he recently scored his maiden List A century and offers a useful left-arm seam option. His father, now an assistant coach for Wellington, also played domestic cricket in New Zealand.

New Zealand selection manager Sam Wells said the Pakistan series provides a great opportunity to test new talent ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“With the next ICC ODI pinnacle event still two and a half years away, this is a perfect time to introduce or reintroduce players to the international stage,” Wells said. “Nick has been a standout performer, and Mo adds balance with both bat and ball.”

Head coach Gary Stead echoed the excitement, praising Kelly’s consistent domestic form and Abbas’s spin-playing ability. “We’re building depth and this tour gives us the chance to do just that. Abbas is a really exciting talent,” Stead said.

While Stead and batting coach Luke Ronchi will lead the team’s support staff, regular bowling coach Jacob Oram will take a break. Development coach Graeme Aldridge steps in as interim bowling coach.

This marks New Zealand’s first ODI series since reaching the Champions Trophy final, and the start of their long-term preparation for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. Players with national and domestic contracts were prioritized in selection.

New Zealand ODI Squad vs Pakistan:

• Tom Latham (captain, wk)

• Muhammad Abbas

• Adithya Ashok

• Michael Bracewell

• Mark Chapman

• Jacob Duffy

• Mitch Hay (wk)

• Nick Kelly

• Daryl Mitchell

• Will O’Rourke

• Ben Sears

• Nathan Smith

• Will Young

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