When New Zealand plays Pakistan in the forthcoming five-match Twenty20 International series, all-rounder Michael Bracewell will be leading his team for the first time at home. When the Black Caps selected a mostly peripheral squad against Pakistan away from home last year, the 34-year-old also served as captain for the first time. Only seven members of the Champions Trophy team will be participating in this series, therefore it will happen again.
Because of their IPL obligations, regular skipper Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Bevon Jacobs are all out. But after missing the last series because of their participation in T20 leagues, Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, and James Neesham are back in the running.
In the meantime, bowler Ben Sears has returned after missing the Champions Trophy due to a hamstring injury, and experienced leggie Ish Sodhi has been called up after missing the most recent Sri Lanka series. In order to keep an eye on the fast bowlers’ workload, selectors have chosen pacers Kyle Jamieson and William O’Rourke, however they will only play in the first three games of the series.
Bracewell is enthusiastic about the task of guiding New Zealand against Pakistan, whom he described as a “dangerous” opponent, and is understandably thrilled to have another chance at leadership.NZ T20 squad v Pakistan: Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (games 4 & 5), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (games 4 & 5), Kyle Jamieson (games 1, 2 & 3), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke (games 1, 2 & 3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi
