Michael Bracewell has been named skipper as New Zealand announced their squad for their upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan. Bracewell led the Black Caps on the tour of Pakistan last year when the series was drawn 2-2.

Bracewell will take charge in the absence of Mitchell Santner, who will be in India for IPL commitments along with Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra.

Bracewell recently played a crucial role in the Champions Trophy where the Kiwis finished as the runners-up. He took a four-wicket haul against Bangladesh and also scored a half-century in the final against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“It’s a great honour and a real privilege to captain your country. I really enjoyed leading the side in Pakistan last year, and we’ve got many players from that squad included for this series as well, which is nice,” Bracewell said in a NZC press release.

The selectors have kept in mind the workload of the pacers and hence, included Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke only for the first three games of the series. Matt Henry, who missed the final against India, will return for the fourth and fifth T20Is.

Ben Sears has recovered from a hamstring injury while leg-spinner Ish Sodhi made a comeback after missing the series against Sri Lanka. Kane Williamson made himself unavailable and hasn’t been considered for selection.

Bevon Jacobs, a member of the squad for the recent T20 series against Sri Lanka, was unable to participate due to his IPL commitments.

The T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand starts on Sunday, March 16 with the series opener at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

New Zealand squad for Pakistan T20I series

Michael Bracewell , 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