Bracewell to lead New Zealand for T20I series against Pakistan
A couple of days after the defeat against India in the grand finale of the 2025 Champions Trophy, New Zealand Cricket announced the squad for their forthcoming T20I series against Pakistan. Michael Bracewell will be captaining the Black Caps with Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, and Tim Seifert back.
New Zealand are playing five T20Is starting March 16 with a few games clashing with the Indian Premier League's (IPL) 18th edition. Seven members - Kyle Jamieson, Will O'Rourkee, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Ben Sears, and Bracewell - from the Champions Trophy squad have been selected in the 15-man squad.
The likes of Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, and Lockie Ferguson were not available due to their IPL commitments. The same was applicable for Trent Boult, who's not a part of New Zealand's contracted individuals.
"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," Bracewell said in an NZ statement.
Matt Henry, who missed the final due to a shoulder injury, is subject to fitness - only for the last two T20Is. Even Zakary Foulkes has been selected in the squad for the last couple of assignments. Meanwhile, Jamieson and O'Rourke have been selected for the first three T20Is.
On a surprising note, James Neesham, who has been in plenty of franchise tournaments of late, has been selected for the series. The first T20I will be held in Christchurch before the caravan shifts to Dunedin, Auckland, Mount Maunganui, and Wellington.
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