New Zealand announces squad for T20 Pakistan tour with big names missing

New Zealand on Wednesday announced the squad for a five-match T20 series against Pakistan.

The Kiwi playing group and support staff depart for Pakistan next Friday (April 12), with the first match against the Green Shirts to be in Rawalpindi on Thursday (April 18).

Michael Bracewell has been appointed as the captain for the series and will lead a group featuring seven members of previous T20 World Cup squads, balanced by two players in Wellington’s Tim Robinson and Canterbury’s Will O’Rourke — selected in a Black Caps T20I squad for the first time. 

However big players’ names are missing from the squad amid the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

As per the announcement, top-ranking NZ players Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, and Kane Williamson were unavailable due to IPL commitments.

Will Young was also unavailable for selection as he takes up a winter contract with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, as was Tom Latham, who is awaiting the birth of his second child.

Tim Southee, the team’s leading T20 wicket-taker since the last T20 World Cup, was not considered for selection to allow him a period of prolonged conditioning following a busy playing schedule across formats.

Colin Munro was also not available for selection.

The playing group and support staff depart for Pakistan next Friday (April 12), with the first match against the Green Shirts in Rawalpindi on Thursday (April 18).

Squad

Michael Bracewell (captain), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.