Pace bowler Matt Henry has been called into the Black Caps squad in Bangladesh as a replacement for batsman Finn Allen - who is in quarantine, recovering from Covid-19.
Matt Henry Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Allen will remain with the team and continue to be monitored by New Zealand team doctor Pat McHugh.
Henry was initially selected solely for the Pakistan leg of the winter programme but will now depart New Zealand on Monday to link up with the Black Caps in Dhaka.
Several factors played a part in the decision to send Henry, not least vaccinations and isolation periods on arrival in Dhaka, the availability of MIQ beds upon return to New Zealand, and workload considerations for other candidates.
Coach Gary Stead says Henry is the best man for the job.
"Matt's clearly not a like-for-like replacement for Finn, but he expands our selection options and, in the current circumstances, is the best equipped to join the side at such short notice," said Stead
"He's received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccination and already has an MIQ bed allocated for his return."
Stead said he didn't consider players currently in the UK due to the seven-day isolation period they would face on arrival into Dhaka.
"And, in the current environment, we remain mindful of the need to carefully balance player workloads," he said.
"We're not prepared to risk anyone's well-being by asking them to commit to extremely long periods away from home."
New Zealand play five T20 internationals in Bangladesh with the first in Dhaka next Wednesday.