Table of Contents
New Zealand have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming 5-match T20I series against Pakistan on their home soil. The bilateral contest between the two nations is set to begin from March 16 with the first T20I being played at the Hagley Oval. The contest in the shortest format of the game between the two nations will be followed by a 3-match ODI series. Pakistan will return to international cricket after a disappointing run in the Champions Trophy 2025. New Zealand, on the other hand, are set to play their first bilateral series after an impressive run to the final of the tournament, missing out on the trophy due to a 4-wicket defeat against India.
Talented all-rounder to lead Black Caps
In a major development, all-rounder Michael Bracewell is set to captain the team for the first time on home soil during the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan. Bracewell, who played a pivotal role in the runner-up finish at the recent Champions Trophy, is one of seven players from that squad joining the T20 camp in Christchurch. Having previously captained the Black Caps’ white-ball tour of Pakistan in April last year, Bracewell expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead the team once again, embracing the challenge with excitement and determination.
“It’s a great honour 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,” Bracewall said to ꦜthe official Black Caps website.
With key T20 players Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and white-ball captain Mitchell Santner unavailable due to IPL commitments, the T20 squad brings together a bl🐭end of experienced campaigners and reওturning talents, ensuring a dynamic and balanced team for the upcoming series.
Also Read: Legends vs. Rising Stars: Analyzing the Generational Shift in Cr🔯icket
Several key players return to the squad
Ish Sodhi has been recalled to the squad after missing the recent home series against Sri Lanka, while Ben Sears, fully recovered from the torn hamstring that cut short his participation in the Champions Trophy last month, also returns. Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham, and Tim Seifert have been included after confirming their availability. These players were unavailable for the December-January series against Sri Lanka due to their commitments in overseas T20 leagues. Tim Robinson continues his role at the top of the T20 order, while pace bowler Zak Foulkes and wicket keeper Mitch Hay retain their places in the squad after impressing during the recent series against Sri Lanka.
Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke have been named for the first three games of the series only, as the selectors aim to carefully manage the workload of the pace bowlers returning from the Champions Trophy. Matt Henry, who finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker despite missing the final due to injury, has been included for games four and five, pending further evaluation once the ODI squad returns home on Wednesday.
New Zealand squad for the T20I series against Pakistan
Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (for games 4 & 5), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (🐭for games 4 & 5), Kyle Jamieson (for games 1, 2 & 3), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke (for games 1, 2 & 3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, and Ish Sodhi.
