New Zealand dropped veteran campaigner Ross Taylor from their Twenty20 squad for the forthcoming series against Pakistan while including ace pacer Trent Boult and explosive batsman Kane Williamson in their rank, reported AFP.

Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway who played a significant role in the Kiwi’s campaign against West Indies also retained their place in the squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan.

Conway and Phillips, who stitched together a 181 run stand against the Kieron Pollard-led West Indies side, will look to continue their scintillating run of form against the Pakistan squad.

Gavin Larsen, a selector for New Zealand men’s squad defended the decision to drop Taylor and said, “This was, as you’d imagine, a very tough decision as Ross has been a consistent performer for us, but unfortunately we just couldn’t find room in the squad for him due to the quality and form of the other batsmen.”

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Both Boult and Williamson who were rested for the Twenty20 series against the West Indies will make a return against Pakistan.

Williamson, who had a splendid run in Indian Premier League with his side Sunrisers Hyderabad, had endured an injury during the tournament, forcing him to be sidelined in the series against West Indies. Williamson also missed the ongoing test series against the West Indies as he and his wife Sarah await their first child, but is slated to play in the final two Twenty20 matches against Pakistan on December 20 and 22.

Selector Larsen speaking on Williamson’s return said, “Kane will return and lead the side for games two and three, but we’ll obviously need to take a wait and see approach in relation to the arrival of his and Sarah’s first child.”

He added, “Mark Chapman’s in the squad for the opening match at Eden Park and is on stand-by for Kane for the remaining games of the series.”

Williamson, Boult and Tim Southee will be available for the Kiwis from the second game against Pakistan, while allrounder Lockie Ferguson will give the tournament a miss following a bone stress injury to his lumbar spine.

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The squads for the first Twenty20 match against Pakistan:

 Mitchell Santner (capt), Todd Astle, Doug Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner

New Zealand squad for games two and three: 

Kane Williamson (capt), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee