New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner (proper) with Michael Bracewell on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on February 24, 2025. — Reuters
WELLINGTON: Michael Bracewell will captain New Zealand for the primary time on dwelling soil after they meet Pakistan in a five-game T20 collection, main a squad named Tuesday lacking a number of key gamers due to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Bracewell starred because the Black Caps reached the ultimate of the Champions Trophy and is one among seven gamers from that one-day crew chosen for the T20s.
However a number of high names are usually not accessible attributable to IPL commitments, together with common skipper Mitchell Santner, together with Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Phillips.
Kane Williamson additionally made himself unavailable for the collection, which will get below approach on Sunday in Christchurch.
“It’s a great honour and a real privilege to captain your country,” stated Bracewell, who led the aspect on their white-ball tour of Pakistan final yr however has but to take the reins at dwelling.
“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 all the time a harmful short-form aspect with a number of energy and tempo and we all know they´ll be hurting after an early exit within the Champions Trophy,” he added.
Spinner Ish Sodhi was recalled whereas paceman Ben Sears is again after recovering from a torn hamstring.
Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert had been additionally included as each groups begin constructing as much as subsequent yr’s T20 World Cup in India.
New Zealand squad: Michael Bracewell (capt), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (video games 4 and 5 solely), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (video games 4 and 5 solely), Kyle Jamieson (video games 1, 2 and three solely), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O´Rourke (video games 1, 2 and three solely), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.
T20I collection schedule
March 16 — First T20I in Christchurch
March 18 — Second T20I in Dunedin
March 21 — Third T20I in Auckland
March 23 — Fourth T20I in Mount Maunganui
March 26 — Fifth T20I in Wellington
