New Zealand has announced its squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, which will start on Sunday, March 16, in Christchurch. Mitchell Santner is unavailable for the tour due to domestic T20 commitments and Michael Bracewell will captain the side. This is a career highlight for Bracewell, as he captains his country at home for the first time.
Bracewell replaces Kane Williamson as captain. Last year, he led New Zealand on a tour to Pakistan across the white-ball formats. He led the team to the Champions Trophy Final, backing up his abilities when the games mattered most. “It’s a massive honour and a huge privilege to captain your country,” Bracewell said, adding that he had been looking forward to the series.
Looking back at his experience as captain, Bracewell said some continuity regarding squad selection for the series. “I thoroughly enjoyed leading the side in Pakistan last year and obviously we’ve got plenty of those players from that squad involved here,” he said. He hopes to continue Santner’s successful team culture and develop an enjoyable environment around the group.
Bracewell also acknowledged Pakistan’s strength in T20 cricket and expected it to be a tough challenge. “Pakistan are always a dangerous short-form side full of power and pace,” he said. He believes they’ll be driven to recover from their early exit in the Champions Trophy.
Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears, available again having missed recent outings through injury and other commitments, return to the squad. The pace attack will feature Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke for the first three games, while workloads are carefully managed. Matt Henry, who did well in the Champions Trophy, will come in for the last two games pending fitness tests.
Selector Sam Wells added that the focus was on the impending T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. “We’re definitely starting to narrow our focus on the ICC T20 World Cup,” he told the media. The series against Pakistan is an important dress rehearsal ahead of that world event.
The tri-series also kicks off with a few absentees, including Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, who are otherwise occupied with T20 duties, but the squad is still strong. Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Seifert, and captain Bracewell strengthen the lineup. All the details of New Zealand’s complete squad and series timetable make for an interesting contest against a strong Pakistan team.
