Finn Allen’s foot injury, which he got in the San Francisco Unicorns’ last league game against the LA Knight Riders in Major League Cricket (MLC), is a setback for both the Unicorns and New Zealand.

Allen’s explosive start to the tournament, including a 51-ball 150, helped the Unicorns reach the playoffs. His injury impacts New Zealand’s plans for the Zimbabwe tri-series, which also includes South Africa.

The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said that Allen’s recovery time will be known after he sees specialists in New Zealand. A replacement player will be announced later.

Rachin Ravindra might open with Tim Seifert for New Zealand, and Mark Chapman could play in the middle order. For the Unicorns, Seifert will likely open with captain Matt Short in the eliminator game against MI New York on Wednesday in Dallas. The Unicorns will be without Allen, Haris Rauf, and Romario Shepherd due to injuries.

New Zealand will arrive in Harare on July 10 to prepare for two games each against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with a potential final game after that. The series starts on July 14, and New Zealand’s first game is against South Africa on July 16.

New Zealand’s squad for the Zimbabwe tri-series: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi