New Zealand coach is proud of his inexperienced team’s T20 fightback in Pakistan

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said that he was proud of his inexperienced team as they bounced back to draw their Twenty20 series with Pakistan.

The Black Caps played exceptionally well, even if it is unlikely that many of the members of the T20 squad tourists will make his World Cup team.

Stead will name his squad for June’s World Cup in the United States and Caribbean on Monday.

“I’m very proud of the way our team played,” Stead told reporters in Lahore after the conclusion of the T20 series.

“We had a disappointing first hit out and where we were soundly beaten but to bounce back from that I thought was pleasing and I think there are few young guys that have certainly increased their stocks over here.”

“Let’s not forget Pakistan only two years ago were World Cup finalists and … for us to compete with them I think was really, really pleasing for us,” he added.

New Zealand had nine first-choice players unavailable because of Indian Premier League (IPL) duties and test skipper Tim Southee rested, because of that the touring squad was pretty much a second-string outfit.

Opener Tim Robinson won his first T20 cap on the tour and scored 51 off 36 to anchor New Zealand’s innings in the fourth match but missed Saturday’s clash with a groin injury.

Seamer Will O’Rourke also impressed in his first T20 international series,

He was given a Man of the Match award for his performance in the fourth match, taking 3-27 from his four overs.