Just quietly, Aotearoa's Blackcaps haven't lost a series in Pakistan over the past few months. On their last tour to Pakistan during the summer, Blackcaps drew the Test series and then won the ODI series that followed. The recent T20I series in Pakistan finished 2-2 with a game rained off and they have now played each format in Pakistan, without losing a series.

If you were stressing about Blackcaps being too old, the impressive T20I performances in Pakistan should serve as a reminder to chill out. Mark Chapman was the best player for Blackcaps in that series, scoring 290 runs @ 165.7sr while only being dismissed once in five innings. Chapman is in the younger bracket of Aotearoa's middle class of cricketers at 28-years-old. This provides a clear example of why Blackcaps can win with a second-tier team, against a strong Pakistan T20I unit.

For whatever reason, Chapman struggled in Super Smash and Ford Trophy last summer. Chapman averaged 10.2 in five innings of Super Smash and 13.83 in six innings of Ford Trophy. Chapman's maturity helped him ride that wave of stink form and he was then able to grab a Plunket Shield century to round out the domestic summer. Chapman offered efficient T20I hitting against Sri Lanka with 49 runs @ 140sr before touring Pakistan.

Four other lads scored 50+ runs in the T20I series vs Pakistan. Tom Latham and Chad Bowes scored 100+ runs, while Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell both scored 71 runs. All four are at least 30-years-old and having Neesham back in the mix was crucial for this series as his 45* @ 180sr helped win the last game, drawing the series.

Neesham was second for Blackcaps wickets in this T20I series as well, while Matt Henry led the kiwis with 6 wickets. Adam Milne took 4w and Ish Sodhi was the only bowler to concede less than 7rpo while also taking 3w. These bowlers are also at least 30-years-old.

Don't worry about the age of the Blackcaps. Most of the lads currently playing IPL are also over 30-years-old and this is not a negative thing. Younger players are being integrated in all formats and have experienced lads around them to boost development. Younger players must score more runs and take more wickets than the proven performers to earn consistent selection. Don't worry, there is a development pipeline which develops talent. The Niche Cache continues to document this...

Plunket Shield Youngster Parade

Central Districts Win Ford Trophy and Josh Clarkson Takes Over

Central Districts Win Plunket Shield and Ray Toole Bags Wickets

Aotearoa A vs Australia A: Game One Debrief

Aotearoa A vs Australia A: Game Two Debrief

The ODI series vs Pakistan is intriguing because a strong Blackcaps ODI team defeated the hosts a few months ago, now the second-tier Blackcaps have their opportunity. Given how the T20I series played out, an ODI upset could be possible although the sensible conclusion is that Pakistan are favourites and should be too good for Blackcaps. To further amplify the second-tier Blackcaps note, let's check in with the best ODI Blackcaps since the start of 2022.

12 batters have scored 100+ runs for Blackcaps in this time frame and seven of them will not play in this series. Of the six batters who have scored 300+ runs, Latham and Mitchell are the only lads playing in this series.

In the bowling department, nine bowlers have taken 10+ wickets since the start of 2022 and five of them are not in this ODI squad. Of the six best bowlers during this period, Henry is the only bloke who will play in Pakistan.

I can whip up a hearty 1st 11 of ODI Blackcaps not playing in this series...

Finn Allen, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.

Most of those lads played in the previous ODI series against Pakistan. This not only frames expectations for how Blackcaps may perform in this series, it also clutters the World Cup view. There are only four, maybe five spots up for grabs in a possible World Cup squad. As all Blackcaps cricket skews towards an ODI World Cup later this year, there is plenty of competition to earn selection.

The Williamson injury opens up batting depth. Will Young, Henry Nicholls and Chapman are the lads to watch out for here. Tom Blundell is also in the squad to face Pakistan and regardless of whether Latham is a 1st 11 wicket-keeper or not, Blundell is competing for squad selection.

Don't assume Boult or Jamieson will feature at the World Cup. If they are inolved, then it's a fabulous bonus. Milne is the bloke to watch out for in this series as his speed and experience would be an asset for a World Cup squad, especially as him and Lockie Ferguson are always battling injuries.

Spin is also a factor ahead of the World Cup in India. While Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie will have notable opportunities, Ish Sodhi is the leading spinner competing for a World Cup gig. Not only was Sodhi the most economical Blackcaps bowler in the T20I leg, Imad Wasim was the only bowler in the whole series conceding less than Sodhi's 6rpo.

Sodhi was the leading wicket-taker in the Test series last summer. Sodhi didn't play the first ODI and Blackcaps lost, then Sodhi took 3w @ 4.8rpo in the next two wins for Blackcaps. Having a possible spin trio of Santner, Sodhi and Bracewell is a sneaky weapon that Blackcaps could deploy at the World Cup.

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Peace and love.