All-rounder Michael Bracewell has been named as New Zealand captain as the BlackCaps announced their squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan. Bracewell had led his side on the tour to Pakistan last year where they drew the series 2-2. (More Cricket News)
Bracewell will lead the side in the absence of Mitchell Santner, who will be in India for Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments alongside the likes of Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra.
Bracewell was part of the New Zealand side that finished as runners-up to India in the recently concluded Champions Trophy final. He took four wickets against Bangladesh and scored a half-century against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
𒁏“It’s a great honour and a real privilege to captain your country. I really enjoyed leading the side in Pakistan last year, and we’ve got many players from that squad included for this series as well, which is nice,” Bracewell said in a NZC press release.
🙈The NZ selectors have included Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke for the first three games. Matt Henry, who missed the final against India, will return for the fourth and final T20Is.
♚Bevon Jacobs, who was part of the New Zealand squad for the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, won't participate as he has joined Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
⭕The T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand gets underway on Sunday, March 16 with the series opener at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
New Zealand T20I squad v Pakistan
🐼Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (matches 4-5), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (matches 4-5), Kyle Jamieson (matches 1-3), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke (matches 1-3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi
New Zealand vs Pakistan T20I Series - Schedule
🐼1st T20I: Sunday, 16 March, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
ꦡ2nd T20I: Tuesday 18 March, University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
3rd T20I: Friday 21 March, Eden Park, Auckland
4th T20I: Sunday 23 March, Bay Oval, Tauranga
5th💯 T20I, Wednesday 25 March, Sky Stadium, Wellington
