New Zealand rests Mitchell, gives youngster Ravindra a chance for final T20I against Pakistan

• New Zealand rests star batsman Daryl Mitchell for final T20I vs. Pakistan.
• Workload management was cited as the reason for Mitchell’s absence.
• Youngster Rachin Ravindra replaces Mitchell in the lineup.

Daryl Mitchell, a middle-order batsman for New Zealand, will not play in Sunday’s last Twenty20 International match against Pakistan at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Mitchell hit seven fours and two sixes en route to his game-winning 72 runs off 44 deliveries, but workload management will keep him out of Sunday’s match.

“Daryl Mitchell will miss the final match of the KFC T20I Series against Pakistan at Hagley Oval as part of ongoing workload management,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a brief statement.

The right-handed veteran hitter will be replaced by emerging talent Rachin Ravindra when New Zealand takes on Shaheen’s team in Christchurch, according to head coach Gary Stead.

“Daryl is an important player for us across all three formats, and ensuring he’s in the best place to perform in international cricket is vital,” Stead said.

“Rachin is coming off a period of rest himself and will bring a valuable skill set to the group in this final match as he continues his return to cricket.”

Ravindra has participated in eighteen Twenty20 International matches thus far, but his performance in the shorter format has not been impressive. In his sixteen innings of batting, the left-hander only scored 145 runs at a strike rate of 117.88 and an average of 13.18.

Additionally, NZC reaffirmed that they will decide whether or not to proceed with Devon Conway’s participation in the last T20I.

Shaheen Afridi, the captain of Pakistan, spoke first after the Green Shirts, who were completely outclassed by the Kiwis in the fourth Twenty20 International, were dominated.

“I think the way Rizwan gave us the start, it was very good. Unfortunately, we couldn’t grab the opportunity in middle overs,” Shaheen said after the match.

“I try to take wickets in the first over. I feel 170 was a good total on this pitch, and if we grabbed our chances, we could have won this game,” he added.

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