Hyderabad: New Zealand has announced a 15-member squad for their upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, with Michael Bracewell named captain in the absence of regular skipper Mitchell Santner. The all-rounder, who previously led the team in Pakistan last year in a series that ended in a 2-2 draw, will once again take charge as six key players will be unavailable due to their Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.
The missing players include Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, and Trent Boult, all of whom will be in India for IPL 2025. New Zealand will also be without their star batter Kane Williamson, who has made himself unavailable for selection.
Bracewell to Lead a Rejuvenated Kiwi Squad
Bracewell, who played a crucial role in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy campaign, where the team finished as runner-up, is eager to take on the leadership role once again.
“It’s a great honor and a real privilege to captain your country. 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,” Bracewell said in a New Zealand Cricket press release.
Bracewell was instrumental in New Zealand’s recent performances, including a four-wicket haul against Bangladesh and a fifty in the final against India at the Dubai International Stadium.
Bowling Rotation to Manage Workload
New Zealand’s selectors have focused on managing the workload of their pacers, with Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke playing only the first three matches of the series, while Matt Henry will join the squad for the final two T20Is. Ben Sears, who recently recovered from a hamstring injury, has also been named in the squad, along with experienced leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who missed the Sri Lanka series.
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I Series Schedule
The five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand is set to begin on Sunday, with the first T20I scheduled at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
New Zealand Squad for Pakistan T20I Series:
- Michael Bracewell (Captain)
- Mark Chapman
- Finn Allen
- Jacob Duffy
- Zak Foulkes (Games 4 & 5)
- Mitch Hay
- Matt Henry (Games 4 & 5)
- Kyle Jamieson (Games 1, 2 & 3)
- Daryl Mitchell
- Jimmy Neesham
- Will O’Rourke (Games 1, 2 & 3)
- Tim Robinson
- Ben Sears
- Tim Seifert
- Ish Sodhi
With a mix of experienced players and fresh faces, the Black Caps will look to make a mark in the T20I series against a strong Pakistan side. The series will also serve as an important preparation ground for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
