New Zealand name squad for Pakistan T20Is

New Zealand will be led by Michael Bracewell in their upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan starting this Sunday at Christchurch.

Bracewell is joined by six other players from the campaign for the upcoming home stand. New Zealand Captain Mitch Santner will the series due to domestic T20 commitments.

This will be the first opportunity for Bracewell to lead his country on home soil, having captained the side during a white-ball tour of Pakistan last year.

“It’s a great honour and a real privilege to captain your country,” Bracewell said. “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.

Ish Sodhi returns to the group having missed the recent Sri Lanka home series, while Ben Sears comes back after recovering from a hamstring injury, which ruled him out for the ICC Champions Trophy.

New Zealand T20I squad:

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

Pakistan v New Zealand T20I schedule

1st T20I: Sunday, 16 March, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

2nd 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