Ben Sears has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy. Photo: Photosport
It's a tough pill to swallow for the 27-year-old who had been chosen for his first ICC pinnacle tournament.
He pulled up at the team's first practice session in Karachi on Wednesday, with a scan showing a minor tear in his left hamstring.
He will be replaced by Otago pace bowler Jacob Duffy who is already in Pakistan as part of the New Zealand ODI Tri-Nations squad.
Head coach Gary Stead sympathised with Sears.
"We're all really feeling for Ben," Stead said.
"It's always tough being ruled out of a major event at such a late stage, and it's especially tough in Ben's case given it would have been his first major ICC event."
Stead said the rehabilitation timeframe meant Sears would probably be only available for New Zealand's final Group A match against India in Dubai on 2 March.
"Ben is a player with huge potential and given the short rehabilitation timeframe, we're sure he'll be fit and raring to go for the home series against Pakistan back in New Zealand."
Duffy would be a strong replacement, Stead said.
"Jacob showed with his performances in the recent home series against Sri Lanka that he is more than capable at international level.
"He's been part of the squad for the ODI Tri-Series, so he's fully acclimatised, and he's got plenty of experience in these conditions and is fit and ready to go."
"He's another player who will be experiencing his first senior ICC event, so it will be an exciting few weeks ahead for him."
The Black Caps will play Pakistan in their opening Champions Trophy match on Wednesday.
They are playing the same team in the ODI Tr-Series final tonight.
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