NZ vs PAK: Michael Bracewell to Lead Fresh-Look New Zealand T20I Squad in Home Series Against Pakistan

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Michael Bracewell named captain as New Zealand announced a fresh-look squad for their upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting from Sunday (March 16) at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Bracewell leads the team in the absence of regular skipper Mitch Santner, who is India-bound for IPL 2025, where he will play for the Mumbai Indians in the forthcoming season, scheduled to start on March 22.

The 34-year-old all-rounder Bracewell, who was a standout in New Zealand's run to the Champions Trophy final, will be joined by other players from the ICC event campaign, which the Black Caps finished as runners up following a defeat to India in the final on Sunday (March 9).

This will be Bracewell's second series as captain, but the first at home, having led the Black Caps in the white-ball tour to Pakistan last year. The Wellington Firebirds star is looking forward to the challenge of hosting Pakistan.

"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," Bracewell was quoted as saying by ICC.

"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."

Apart from Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips also miss the series due to their IPL commitments, while Lockie Ferguson and Bevon Jacob also are headed to India to be part of the lucrative league.

Kane Williamson has also declared himself unavailable for the series. Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert, however, have been included in the squad alongside spinner Ish Sodhi, who returns to the group having missed the recent Sri Lanka home series.

Pacer Ben Sears also comes back after tearing his hamstring which forced him out of the recent Champions Trophy campaign. Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke, who were part of the Champions Trophy campaign, have been included for the first three games as the team manage the fast bowlers' workloads.

Matt Henry, the leading wicket-taker at the Champions Trophy, has been named in the squad for the final two matches alongside ZakFoulkes. Henry is included despite missing the final through injury, but his participation will be subject to further fitness testing.

Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy will be among the other players from Champions Trophy squad, while Mitch Hay and Tim Robinson have also found a place in the team. Here is a look at the squad:

New Zealand T20I squad vs Pakistan

Michael Bracewell (captain), 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.