|| CF DESK ||

Josh Clarkson has been ruled out of the New Zealand squad for the third T20I against Pakistan due to a shoulder injury. Initially set to replace New Zealand captain Kane Williamson for the third T20I, Clarkson's absence has paved the way for Will Young to join the Black Caps' squad.

Williamson is sitting out the third T20I to manage a persistent knee issue that has troubled him over the past year but is expected to return for the final two games.

Will Young, a regular in the New Zealand ODI setup and a participant in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, brings experience to the squad with 14 T20Is and 260 runs at an average of 20.

The Kiwis marched to a vehement 46-run win in the opening game of the series in Auckland. Tim Southee created history in the game by becoming the first player to reach 150 T20I wickets.

Squad: Kane Williamson (c) (matches 1, 2, 4 and 5), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Will Young (match 3 only), Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson (matches 3, 4 and 5), Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (matches 1 and 2), Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee