Bracewell to Lead Depleted New Zealand Squad in T20 Series Against Pakistan

New Zealand’s cricket team is set to face Pakistan in a five-match T20 series on home soil, starting Sunday in Christchurch. Michael Bracewell will captain the side for the first time at home, stepping in due to the absence of key players like regular skipper Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Phillips, who are participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kane Williamson has also opted out of the series. Bracewell, who led the team during last year’s white-ball tour of Pakistan, expressed his honor in captaining his country and aims to build on Santner’s leadership. The squad includes seven players from the recent Champions Trophy campaign, where New Zealand reached the final but fell short against India. Spinner Ish Sodhi returns to the lineup, and paceman Ben Sears is back after recovering from a torn hamstring. Other notable inclusions are Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham, and Tim Seifert. Bracewell acknowledges the challenge ahead, noting Pakistan’s strength in short-form cricket and their motivation following an early exit in the Champions Trophy.