AUCKLAND: All-rounder Michael Bracewell has been named captain as New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced the squad for the upcoming home T20I series against Pakistan.
The New Zealand side will feature seven members from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, including Bracewell, who was a key performer in the tournament.
It’s worth noting that this will be Bracewell’s first home series as captain, having previously led the side during the tour of Pakistan in April 2024.
“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,” Bracewell said in an NZC statement.
“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.”
Ish Sodhi was recalled after missing the recent home series against Sri Lanka, while Ben Sears recovered from the torn hamstring, which forced him to return home on the eve of the Champions Trophy last month.
Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke have been included for the first three games of the series only, as the selectors seek to manage the workloads of the pace bowlers returning from the Champions Trophy.
Matt Henry, who finished as the leading wicket-taker at the tournament despite missing the final through injury, has been selected for games four and five, subject to further assessment once the ODI squad arrives home on Wednesday.
The series between Pakistan and New Zealand will run from 16 March 16 to 5 April, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I series will kick off in Christchurch on 16 March, while the second match is scheduled to be played in Dunedin on 18 March.
The third match will be played in Auckland on 21 March, while the subsequent games are scheduled in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on 23 and 26 March, respectively.
Following the T20I series, the teams will travel to Napier for the first ODI, scheduled for 29 March. The second ODI will be played on 2 April in Hamilton, while Mount Maunganui will host the final ODI on 5 April.
Michael Bracewell (capt), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes (games 4 & 5), Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry (games 4 & 5), Kyle Jamieson (games 1, 2 & 3), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Will O’Rourke (games 1, 2 & 3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi
READ: No Rohit Sharma as ICC reveals Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament
Pakistan's batting coach Mohammad Yousuf on Tuesday confirmed his availability for the New Zealand tour…
The historic one-off test between arch-rivals England and Australia will be played under lights at…
Pakistan's newly appointed batting coach of the national men's team, Mohammad Yousuf, has withdrawn from…
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the schedule for the 18-team National T20…
The members of the Indian cricket team returned home after winning the ICC Champions Trophy…
India captain Rohit Sharma has put an end to speculation about his retirement from ODI…