WELLINGTON: Michael Bracewell will lead New Zealand for the first time on their T20 tour of Pakistan in April, New Zealand Cricket said in a statement on Wednesday.
Pakistan is going to host New Zealand for five T20 matches series, starting at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on April 18, as both teams warm up for June’s T20 World Cup in the US and the West Indies.
Michael Bracewell was named skipper on his return from injury in the absence of regular captain Kane Williamson, who is playing in the IPL.
Bracewell said that he is very excited, it is a huge honour just to be selected again for New Zealand and then on top of that chosen as skipper.
Bracewell to Lead New Zealand on Pakistan Tour
IPL contracted players Devon Conway, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Williamson are all missing.
New Zealand Test skipper Tim Southee is being rested following a busy summer of cricket across all formats while Tom Latham, Will Young, and Colin Munro are not available as well.
However, big-hitting batter Tim Robinson and fast bowler Will O’Rourke have received their first T20 squad call-ups.
New Zealand side won 4-1 in a home five-match T20 series against Pakistan in January.
New Zealand squad:
Michael Bracewell (capt), Mark Chapman, Finn Allen, Jacob Duffy, Josh Clarkson, Ben Lister, Dean Foxcroft, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Cole McConchie, Will O’Rourke, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Robinson.
