Michael Bracewell is appointed as captain for T20I series against Pakistan in New Zealand.
Michael Bracewell is set to make his debut as New Zealand’s captain, leading the 15-member squad announced by selectors for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan.
Tim Robinson earns his first call-up, joining the squad alongside uncapped Will O’Rourke.
However, New Zealand will be missing several key players due to their commitments in the IPL or other reasons.
Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, and Kane Williamson are all engaged with IPL teams.
Additionally, Will Young (winter contract with Nottinghamshire), Tom Latham (awaiting the birth of his second child), Tim Southee (conditioning), and Colin Munro are unavailable for selection.
New Zealand T20I squad:
| Player Name |
|---|
| Michael Bracewell (C) |
| Finn Allen |
| Mark Chapman |
| Josh Clarkson |
| Jacob Duffy |
| Dean Foxcroft |
| Ben Lister |
| Cole McConchie |
| Adam Milne |
| Jimmy Neesham |
| Will O’Rourke |
| Tim Robinson |
| Ben Sears |
| Tim Seifert ( WK ) |
| Ish Sodhi |
Bracewell is poised to make his return to international cricket after a hiatus since March 2023 due to a ruptured Achilles followed by a broken finger that sidelined him.
The 33-year-old all-rounder showcased his comeback in the Plunket Shield, where he delivered a career-best performance of 8 for 41 in his maiden match upon his return.
“Michael’s resilience during his lengthy recovery period is commendable, and it’s fantastic to witness him back in action,” stated New Zealand selector Sam Wells.
“His leadership qualities, coupled with his extensive experience leading Wellington, New Zealand A, and New Zealand XI teams, make him an ideal candidate to lead the squad in Pakistan.”
Robinson earned his spot in the team following a stellar season with the bat, amassing 298 runs despite featuring in only six of Wellington’s 11 Super Smash matches due to injury.
Notably, he scored a blazing 139 off 64 balls against Otago.
O’Rourke, who has represented New Zealand in two Tests and three ODIs, impressed in the Super Smash with 12 wickets at an average of 19.41.
“Tim’s explosive power and exceptional fielding make him a valuable addition to the squad, despite being early in his domestic career,” Wells remarked.
“As for Will, his promising performances in international cricket thus far make us optimistic about his prospects on this tour, especially in unfamiliar conditions.”
New Zealand is scheduled to depart for Pakistan on April 12.
The series kicks off with the first T20I in Rawalpindi on April 18, followed by two more matches in the same venue on April 20 and 21.
The final two games will take place in Lahore on April 25 and 27.
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