In the fourth Twenty20 International of the series against Pakistan, New Zealand will be without their top opener Devon Conway due to a positive test result for COVID-19. In advance of the fourth Twenty20 International, which is set to take place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday, January 19, New Zealand Cricket has added Chad Bowes as a cover to the team.
The 32-year-old Devon Conway, who tested positive on Thursday, January 18, has been placed under observation at the team hotel in Christchurch.
The 31-year-old has made 286 runs in 11 T20Is and 8 ODIs while playing for New Zealand. Conway, who has scores of 0 (1), 20 (15), and 7 (8) in the first three Twenty20 Internationals, was notably not at his best in the current series. Due to COVID, all-rounder Mitchell Santner was forced to miss the opening Twenty20 International of the series, which was held at Eden Park, Auckland.
Devon Conway has been ruled out of the fourth T20I against Pakistan after testing positive for COVID. Conway has been in isolation at the team’s Christchurch hotel after testing positive yesterday. Canterbury Kings batsman Chad Bowes will join the squad today as cover. #NZvPAK
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 19, 2024
But the left-arm spinner bounced back immediately, rejoining the squad for the second T20 match and going on to captain it in Kane Williamson’s absence. Due to a hamstring injury sustained in the second game of the series, the captain of New Zealand is out. Will Young had to step in for Josh Clarkson, who had been recruited to replace the injured Kane Williamson. However, Clarkson was later ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
In the series, New Zealand is up 3-0.
New Zealand, meanwhile, has already won the series after dominating the first three games to grab an unstoppable 3-0 lead. Opening batsman Finn Allen wrecked havoc on the Pakistan bowlers in the third Twenty20 International, scoring the highest individual score ever by a New Zealand batsman with a stunning 137 (62) that included five fours and a joint-high sixteen sixes.
New Zealand amassed 224/7 in their allocated 20 overs thanks to his knock. Pakistan lost by 45 runs after Babar Azam scored 58 (37), but they could only muster 179 in their 20 overs. The Shaheen Afridi-led team is trailing 0-3 in the series and will be desperate to win the final two games to prevent a rout.
India
