Michael Bracewell Set To Lead Kiwis In T20Is vs Pakistan

Star Kiwi All-Rounder Michael Bracewell is all set to lead New Zealand for the first time at home in a 5-match T20I series against Pakistan. Bracewell already has a captaincy experience away from home when he led a new-look squad against the very same side last year in their backyard where the Kiwis largely fielded a very young squad. The story is going to be the same once again as only 7 players from the Champions Trophy squad will be playing in this series.

Regular skipper Mitchell Santner, alongside Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra & Bevon Jacobs is set to be unavailable for the series due to their IPL commitments. Meanwhile, Tim Seifert, Jimmy Neesham & Finn Allen are back in the squad after having missed the previous series due to franchise commitments.

Meanwhile, veteran leggie Ish Sodhi has been recalled after having missed the tour of Sri Lanka. Ben Sears is also back in the squad after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the Champions Trophy. Seamers Will O'Rourke & Kyle Jamieson will feature in the first three games of the series as the management is looking to manage their workloads.

NZ T20 squad v Pakistan-

Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (games 4 & 5), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (games 4 & 5), Kyle Jamieson (games 1, 2 & 3), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O'Rourke (games 1, 2 & 3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

Meanwhile, Bracewell is quite excited to lead the Blackcaps against Pakistan at home, who also described Pakistan as a 'dangerous' outfit in the shortest format of the game.

Michael Bracewell excited To Lead NZ

"It's a great honor to lead your country once again at an international level, I enjoyed leading the boys in Pakistan last year, we've many lads from that squad who are playing in this series."

"Mitch has been a fantastic leader for the side, I'll carry on the work done by him. & make the environment in the dressing room comfortable for everyone to perform"

"Pakistan is a very dangerous side in the shortest format of the game & they'll be hungry to perform after an early exit from the Champions Trophy".

"For the guys returning from Dubai, obviously it is disappointing for them, but we also carry the pride with us to the way we performed for New Zealand". "We've loved the support that's been showered on us, now, we'll try to perform well in front of our home fans at our home venues which are expected to be a packed house