New Zealand announced its five-match T20 series against Pakistan on Wednesday due to IPL-related player absences. Michael Bracewell will command the series later this month. First-time skipper Bracewell has been sidelined with a ruptured Achilles and a fractured finger since his last international appearance in March last year. He returned to cricket magnificently, scoring his greatest first-class figures with the ball in his Plunket Shield debut.
New Zealand’s Pakistan visit lineup lacks star players
All-rounder will lead a group of seven former T20 World Cup players, balanced by Wellington’s Tim Robinson and Canterbury’s Will O’Rourke, named for the first time in a Black Caps T20I team. Robinson was selected after a Super Smash run spree for Wellington, while O’Rourke impressed on test debut against South Africa in February.IPL obligations kept top NZ players Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, and Kane Williamson out.
Will Young, who signed a winter deal with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, and Tom Latham, who was expecting his second child, were also unavailable. After a busy playing schedule across forms, Tim Southee, the team’s leading T20 wicket-taker since the last T20 World Cup, was not selected to allow him to condition.
Additionally, Colin Munro was unavailable for selection. New Zealand coach Gary Stead will lead a support staff in Pakistan that includes batting coach Luke Ronchi and bowling coach Brendon Donkers. After working with the team in the UK and India, former England international James Foster will join the coaching staff. Next Friday (April 12), the team and support crew go to Pakistan, where they play the Green Shirts in Rawalpindi on Thursday (April 18).
