NEW DELHI: New Zealand's cricket captain, Kane Williamson, is facing a setback as he is unlikely to feature in the remaining T20 matches against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury suffered during the second Twenty20 encounter, according to coach Gary Stead.
The skipper had already been ruled out of the third T20 scheduled for Wednesday, and now it seems probable that Williamson will miss the final two games as well.
Coach Gary Stead emphasized the importance of prioritizing Williamson's fitness for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, which is less than three weeks away.
"With the Test matches so close as well and in the big scheme of things (they are) a higher priority, I think we'll try and make sure he's right for that," Stead stated.
In the second T20 against Pakistan on Sunday, Williamson, who contributed a quick 26 off 15 balls, was forced to retire hurt due to the hamstring issue. Despite his absence, New Zealand secured a 21-run victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
In Williamson's absence, Tim Seifert is expected to step into the batting lineup. Additionally, Stead hinted at Seifert taking over wicketkeeping duties, potentially replacing Devon Conway at some stage in the series.
New Zealand will aim to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming T20s, but the focus remains on ensuring Williamson's full recovery for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
(With inputs from AFP)
