New Zealand name fresh-look squad for home Pakistan series
New Zealand will be led by Michael Bracewell in their upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, beginning in Christchurch on Sunday.
A standout in New Zealand's run to the Champions Trophy Final, Bracewell is joined by six other players from the campaign for the upcoming home stand.
He takes the reins temporarily from Mitch Santner, who misses the series due to domestic T20 commitments.
Bracewell gets his first opportunity to lead his country on home soil having captained the side during a white-ball tour of Pakistan last year, and looks forward to the challenge of hosting Pakistan.
'It's a great honour and a real privilege to captain your country,' Bracewell said.
'I really enjoyed leading the side in Pakistan last year and we've got many players from that squad included for this series as well, which is nice.
'Mitch Santner's done a great job since taking over as white-ball captain and I'll really just be trying to build on his good work and create an enjoyable environment for the guys to perform in.
'Pakistan are always a dangerous short-form side with lots of power and pace and we know they'll be hurting after an early exit in the Champions Trophy.
'For the guys coming back from Dubai, there's obviously a level of disappointment, but also a lot of pride in the way we were able to perform and represent New Zealand.
'We've loved all of the support we've received from afar and are certainly looking forward to getting back home and playing in front of our own fans and in front of full venues.'
Michael Bracewell hits the winnings runs as NZ land semi-final berth | BAN v NZ | Champions Trophy 2025
Ish Sodhi returns to the group having missed the recent Sri Lanka home series, while Ben Sears comes back after tearing his hamstring which forced him out of the recent Champions Trophy campaign.
Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke are available for first three games of the series as the team manage the fast bowlers' workloads after the recent ICC event. Matt Henry, who finished as the leading wicket-taker at the tournament despite missing the final through injury, is named for matches four and five though will be subject to further fitness testing.
Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert have also been included in the squad.
Stellar New Zealand secure final spot | Match Highlights | Champions Trophy 2025
Selector Sam Wells says the side have one eye on next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year.
'We're certainly starting to narrow our sights on the ICC T20 World Cup," Wells said.
'We made it clear in our planning and communication with players that availability for that tournament and the build-up to it was required to be considered for this series against Pakistan.
'Half of this squad is only returning from the Champions Trophy on Wednesday and so we're going to need to manage those players really carefully.
'It's nice to be welcoming back the likes of Ish, Kyle and Ben after time away from our T20 set-up.'
Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs and Rachin Ravindra are also unavailable due to their T20 playing commitments, with Kane Williamson also declaring himself unavailable.
New Zealand T20I squad v Pakistan
Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (matches 4-5), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (matches 4-5), Kyle Jamieson (matches 1-3), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O'Rourke (matches 1-3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi
T20I series dates
1st T20I: Sunday, 16 March, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd T20I: Tuesday 18 March, University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
3rd T20I: Friday 21 March, Eden Park, Auckland
4th T20I: Sunday 23 March, Bay Oval, Tauranga
5th T20I, Wednesday 25 March, Sky Stadium, Wellington News Michael Bracewell 02/14/1991
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