A big blow for the Black Caps as their skipper Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the remaining T20Is against Pakistan due to a minor hamstring injury. Williamson, who scored a brilliant 57 in the first match, felt some discomfort in his left leg during the second game and did not take the field in the second innings. The team management confirmed that he will not be available for the next three matches as a precautionary measure.

Williamson’s absence will be a huge loss for New Zealand, who are already without some of their key players like Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson, who have been rested for the T20 series. The hosts have a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and will look to seal the deal in the third game on Wednesday. However, they will face a stiff challenge from a resilient Pakistan side, who came close to winning the second match before losing by nine wickets in a Super Over.

New Zealand will have to find a new captain and a new opener to replace Williamson. The most likely candidates are Mitchell Santner, who led the team in the third T20I against West Indies last month, and Martin Guptill, who missed the first two matches due to a hamstring injury of his own but is expected to be fit for the third game.

The other options are Glenn Phillips, who opened with Williamson in the second match and scored a quickfire 34, and Devon Conway, who has been in sublime form in domestic cricket and made his international debut in the first match.

The series against Pakistan is an important one for New Zealand as they prepare for the T20 World Cup later this year.