Sodhi Sears and Seifert rejoin Bracewell led New Zealand team for

Sodhi, Sears, and Seifert rejoin Bracewell-led New Zealand team for domestic T20 series against Pakistan

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Allrounder Michael Bracewell will lead a revamped New Zealand T20I squad in a five-match series against Pakistan starting March 16. With several players occupied by IPL commitments and others unavailable, seven members from the Champions Trophy squad have been selected. Bracewell aims to build on Mitch Santner’s successful captaincy and foster a positive environment. Key players include Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, and Daryl Mitchell, while Matt Henry’s participation is contingent on fitness. The series serves as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, allowing players to showcase their abilities for potential selection. Each match coincides with New Zealand Women’s matches against Sri Lanka and Australia.

Allrounder Michael Bracewell will lead a revamped New Zealand T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against Pakistan at home, commencing on March 16. The squad includes seven players from New Zealand’s silver-medal winning Champions Trophy team, while those engaged in IPL commitments have been excluded.

This series will be Bracewell’s second as New Zealand captain, having previously guided the side during the tour of Pakistan in April 2024.

“Mitch Santner has done an excellent job as white-ball captain, and my aim is to build on his positive work while fostering an enjoyable environment for the players to excel in,” Bracewell stated in an NZC release. “Pakistan has always been a formidable short-format team with considerable power and skill, and we are aware they’ll be keen to bounce back after their early exit in the Champions Trophy.”

Highlighted in the squad selections are Ben Sears, the fast bowler who has fully recovered from a hamstring injury, and Ish Sodhi, who was absent from the recent home series against Sri Lanka. Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke have been named for the first three matches only, as selectors manage the workload of pacers following the Champions Trophy.
Matt Henry, who sustained a shoulder injury in the Champions Trophy semi-final, is included for the final two T20Is, pending fitness, while Finn Allen, James Neesham, and Tim Seifert have also been named after confirming their availability for selection in the preparatory series ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman will take on greater batting responsibilities with Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips unavailable due to IPL commitments. Lockie Ferguson and Santner will also miss the series as the IPL kicks off on March 22. Kane Williamson has opted out of selection due to his commitments with the Karachi Kings in the PSL, starting April 11.

“We are definitely beginning to focus on the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled in India next February and March,” selector Sam Wells remarked. “Half of this squad will only return from the Champions Trophy on Wednesday, so we need to manage those players very carefully.”

“The series against Pakistan will allow all players to showcase their abilities and strengthen their cases for selection in the 15-player squad for next year’s major international tournament.”

Each match in the five-match series will feature a double-header, with New Zealand Women competing against Sri Lanka and Australia on the same day at the same venue.

New Zealand squad T20Is against Pakistan

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

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