Dublin, Jul 18 (IANS): Ireland pacer Conor Olphert has been withdrawn from the Men's T20I squad ahead of the series against New Zealand with a knee injury, with bowling all-rounder Fionn Hand joining the squad as replacement.

Olphert has sustained a knee injury and will begin rehab immediately, after an MRI scan confirmed the injury. The squad change comes ahead of the Ireland men's T20I series against New Zealand at Stormont starting from Monday.

"It is obviously a great disappointment for Conor to sustain the injury at this time, just after impressing selectors during the inter-pro season and making his debut in the recent T20I series against India.

"Hopefully with rehab commencing immediately we can get Conor back fit as soon as possible. Fionn Hand comes in as bowling cover, after impressing during the inter-pros, and his batting will be an obvious bonus if he is selected to play," said Andrew White, Chair of National Men's Selectors.

After the first T20I at Stormont on Monday, the next two T20Is will be held at the same venue on July 20 and 22 respectively. Ireland will be hoping to get over the line against New Zealand in T20Is after losing the ODI series 3-0, with the margin of losses being one wicket, three wickets and one run.

Updated squad: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and Craig Young.