New Zealand T20I Squad vs Pakistan: Kane Williamson Returns As Skipper For Blackcaps

Kane Williamson returns to the New Zealand T20I fold for the first time since November 2022 as the batter has been named captain for the upcoming Twenty20 International home series against Pakistan,

The 33-year-old had missed a lot of action in 2023 due to a knee injury that he sustained during the IPL. He returned to action during the ODI World Cup and also played in the Tests in Bangladesh, but missed last month's ODI and T20 home series against Bangladesh as a precautionary measure.

Apart from Williamson, opener Devon Conway as well as pace duo Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson will also make a return to the squad. Ferguson and Conway missed the white ball series at home against Bangladesh, while Henry has missed action since picking up an injury during the ODI World Cup.

While Conway and Henry will be part of the squad for all the five T20Is against Pakistan, Ferguson will enter the squad for the final three matches with Ben Sears being named as cover in the opening two matches.

Despite being named captain, Williamson will also be rested during the five-match T20Is against Pakistan as he will miss the third T20I to manage the knee issue, with the uncapped Josh Clarkson called in as cover for the match and Mitchell Santner set to stand in as captain.

Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson and Michael Bracewell sit out, while Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham were unavailable for selection. Here is a look at the New Zealand squad for the five-match T20I series against Pakistan:

New Zealand T20I squad vs Pakistan

Kane Williamson (captain) (matches 1, 2, 4 and 5), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson (match 3 only), Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Lockie Ferguson (matches 3, 4 and 5), Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (matches 1 and 2), Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.