New Zealand has announced a revamped squad for their upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, with allrounder Michael Bracewell set to lead the side in the absence of several key players due to IPL commitments. The squad features a mix of experience and returning players, with seven members from New Zealand’s Champions Trophy runner-up squad retaining their spots. However, big names like Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Lockie Ferguson are unavailable due to their IPL contracts, while Kane Williamson opted out of selection as he focuses on recovery before joining Karachi Kings in the PSL from April 11.
Bracewell, who previously captained New Zealand during their tour of Pakistan in April 2024, is seen as an ideal choice to step in for Mitchell Santner.
The squad sees the return of Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi, while Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke will only be available for the first three matches as part of workload management. Matt Henry, who suffered a shoulder injury in the Champions Trophy semi-final, has been included for the final two matches, subject to fitness.
With Pakistan also naming a relatively new-look side, the upcoming T20I series provides both teams with an opportunity to test their bench strength ahead of key international commitments.
New Zealand T20I Squad vs Pakistan
| Player | Availability |
|---|---|
| Michael Bracewell (c) | Full series |
| Finn Allen | Full series |
| Mark Chapman | Full series |
| Jacob Duffy | Full series |
| Zakary Foulkes | Games 4 & 5 |
| Mitchell Hay | Full series |
| Matt Henry | Games 4 & 5 |
| Kyle Jamieson | Games 1, 2 & 3 |
| Daryl Mitchell | Full series |
| James Neesham | Full series |
| Will O’Rourke | Games 1, 2 & 3 |
| Tim Robinson | Full series |
| Ben Sears | Full series |
| Tim Seifert | Full series |
| Ish Sodhi | Full series |
With Pakistan eager to bounce back from their disappointing Champions Trophy campaign and New Zealand fine-tuning their squad ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, this series promises to be a competitive showdown between two teams looking to make a statement.
