Tom Latham ruled out [Source: AP]The first T20I of the three-match Bangladesh vs New Zealand series is set to take place on April 27 at Chattogram. As the match is scheduled for 1:30 PM IST, just moments ahead of the clash, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham has been ruled out due to an injury. Latham suffered an injury during a training session in the nets ahead of the New Zealand vs Bangladesh first T20I clash, due to which he will not be able to participate in the game. The New Zealand Cricket Board also released an official statement on Tom Latham's absence regarding the niggle. Tom Latham Suffers Foot Injury In The Nets The official social media handle of New Zealand posted an update regarding Latham's injury at 12:44 PM IST. As per the update, Latham was struck by a ball on his right big toe while batting at a training session yesterday, which caused a laceration below the toenail. This could put him in danger of missing the rest of the games as well. In place of Latham, Nick Kelly will be leading the side, becoming New Zealand's 13th T20I captain.BLACKCAPS @BLACKCAPS A brief update ahead of this evening's match. #BANvNZ Apr 27, 2026, 12:44 PM “BlackCaps captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of today's first T20I against Bangladesh after being struck by the ball on his right big toe while batting at training yesterday. Latham sustained a laceration below the toenail, and his availability for the remainder of the series will be assessed game by game. Wellington Firebirds batter Nick Kelly will captain in Latham's place and become the BlackCaps' 13th T20I captain,” New Zealand Cricket said in an update. Also Read- Chattogram Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Report For BAN vs NZ 1st T20I 2026Nick Kelly Becomes New Zealand CaptainNick Kelly has been in solid form in the ODI series that New Zealand played, where, from the three matches, Kelly managed 149 runs while averaging 49.67, with scores of 83 and 59. Interestingly, this will be Nick Kelly's first international stint as a captain, as he does not have any previous experience of leading the national side in any of the Test, ODI, or T20I formats. During the toss of the BAN vs NZ 1st T20I, Kelly confirmed the Tom Latham injury on air while giving hope for his comeback for the next game. “Yeah, he hurt his toe while batting in the nets. It's not too bad. Hopefully, he will be back for the next game,” Kelly shared. Latham will get just a one-day gap to recover from his injury. As indicated by NZC, his comeback will be assessed ‘game by game’, and with the seriousness of the injury he suffered, it is unlikely that he will feature in the 2nd T20I. New Zealand Under Tom Latham’s Lead On the other hand, Latham has solid experience of leading the side, having captained New Zealand in 78 matches across formats, while scoring 3,142 runs as captain at an average of 38.79. Latham's record as a T20I captain reads 6 wins and 5 losses from the 13 T20Is he led the team, with one match tied. Latham has a win-to-loss ratio of 1.20 for New Zealand. Nevertheless, the BlackCaps will be a hungry side after they lost the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. The first T20I will be a momentum-setter for either team, as although both boast strong names and solid form on paper, the competition will be tough on a dry Chattogram pitch where bowlers are set to prevail and dominate most parts of the game. Also Read- Angkrish Raghuvanshi Handed Brutal Punishment By BCCI After Obstructing The Field
