Michael Bracewell to Lead New Zealand in T20I Series Against Pakistan
New Zealand has announced a fresh-look squad for their upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, with Michael Bracewell appointed as captain in the absence of regular skipper Mitch Santner.
The series kicks off on March 16 in Christchurch and will serve as an important platform for evaluating players ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
Bracewell, who captained New Zealand during their white-ball tour of Pakistan last year, expressed his excitement about leading the team on home soil for the first time.
“I really enjoyed leading the side in Pakistan last year, and it’s great to have many players from that squad back in the team. I’ll be working to build on Mitch Santner’s great leadership and create a positive environment for the team.” – Michael Bracewell
Squad Highlights and Key Inclusions
The squad features six players from New Zealand’s Champions Trophy campaign, alongside returning bowlers Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears. Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke will be available for the first three matches, while Matt Henry, the top wicket-taker at the Champions Trophy, is set to join for the final two games, pending a fitness assessment.
Selectors have also named promising talent Zak Foulkes, who will be available for the last two matches.
With an eye on the T20 World Cup preparations, several experienced players—including Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Phillips—are unavailable due to other commitments. Selector Sam Wells emphasized that the squad reflects the need for players to commit to the long-term plan leading up to the global event.
New Zealand Squad for the T20I Series
- Michael Bracewell (captain)
- 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
T20I Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
New Zealand will be hoping to fine-tune their squad and test their depth in key positions as they prepare for bigger international challenges ahead. The series promises an exciting clash against Pakistan, who will be looking to assert their dominance ahead of their ICC T20 World Cup preparations.
