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Auckland: Canterbury's legspinning allrounder Todd Astle is in the Blackcaps' squad to take on Pakistan in the three-match ANZ Twenty20 Series beginning this Friday.
Astle, who has yet to play an International Twenty20, has featured once for the Kiwis in a Test match, against Sri Lanka in 2012; and earlier this season took an 11-wicket match haul against Sri Lanka for New Zealand A.
This is his first selection in the Blackcaps T20 squad and coach Mike Hesson said 29-year-old Astle deserved his chance.
"Todd had a solid campaign in this year's Georgie Pie Super Smash and has been a consistent performer for Canterbury over a number of seasons," said Hesson.
"With the spin-friendly conditions in which we're likely to play during the ICC World Twenty20 in India, it's important we have all of our bases covered, and Todd is certainly an option for us.
Tom Latham, who also provides wicketkeeper cover, comes into the squad for the opening match while Ross Taylor is rested. Taylor will join the squad in Hamilton.
Offspinning allrounder Nathan McCullum was unavailable for selection due to a knee injury, and is targeting a return for the SBS Otago Volts in the Ford Trophy on 17 January.
New Zealand T20I squad: Kane Williamson (capt.), Corey Anderson, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (first game only), Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ross Taylor (miss the first game)
