Black Caps embrace uncontracted players for Pakistan series

New Zealand are turning to several uncontracted players for the upcoming white-ball series against Pakistan, with Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert all set to play in the first T20I in Christchurch on Sunday.

None of the three have central contracts with the Black Caps, choosing instead to ply their trade in international T20 leagues.

However, selector Sam Wells has said that each are still hungry to represent their nation and are part of New Zealand’s planning heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“Yeah, look, we’ve had some discussions with these guys,” Wells said this week.

“New Zealand Cricket has really emphasised preparing well for these pinnacle events and the guys have committed to being available for all of our T20 campaigns moving forward, if selected.

“So that’s a real positive. And credit to those guys, they’ve come back and played domestic cricket, played Ford Trophy and performed well.

“These guys are still really hungry and made it very clear they’re still very hungry to play for their country.

“That is why they come back and play domestic cricket to stake their claim.

“And they’ve done well as well as performing in the various franchise leagues they play around the world.

“But it is really helpful from a selection perspective to see them competing in domestic cricket against the guys and see them in the flesh.

“So, look, we’re really happy with where they’re at.”

New Zealand have struggled to retain players in recent years with the alure of overseas leagues causing several big names to opt out of central contract.

Cricket bookmakers put them on the seventh line of betting heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup, with PlayUp paying $17 for the Kiwis to win.

Top online bookmakers favour the Black Caps to win the opening T20I against Pakistan on Sunday, however, pricing the hosts at $1.61 to prevail at Hagley Oval.

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