New Zealand changed their captain after losing the Champions Trophy final

The captain of the New Zealand team has changed after losing the final of the Champions Trophy 2025. The dashing all-rounder has been given the captaincy in place of Mitchell Santner.

The New Zealand team had to face defeat in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025. With this, the Kiwi team's dream of winning the title after 25 years was shattered. After this defeat, big changes have been seen in the New Zealand team. Actually, New Zealand has announced its team for the T20I series against Pakistan. The command of the Kiwi team against Pakistan has been handed over to Michael Bracewell instead of Mitchell Santner. Santner is not available for this series. Apart from Santner, many star players like Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra are also not part of this team.

Star player missing from the team

Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, and Rachin Ravindra will not play the T20I series against Pakistan. All these players are unavailable due to their T20 commitments, while Kane Williamson has also declared himself unavailable. Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway will be seen playing for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025. Lockie Ferguson is part of the Punjab Kings team, while Mitchell Santner will be seen playing IPL 2025 for Mumbai Indians. At the same time, Glenn Phillips will play in Gujarat Titans. Let us tell you, IPL 2025 is going to start from March 22. Kane Williamson will not play in IPL this time. He will take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). PSL 2025 will be played from the 11th of next month.

Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears return

Ish Sodhi, who missed the home T20I series against Sri Lanka, has returned to the team. At the same time, Ben Sears, who did not play the Champions Trophy due to a hamstring injury, has also made a comeback. Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke are available for the first three matches of the series, as the team will manage the workload of the fast bowlers after the recent ICC event.

Matt Henry, who missed the Champions Trophy 2025 final due to injury and was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, has been selected for the fourth and fifth matches of the T20I series. However, he will have to undergo a fitness test before that. Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham, and Tim Seifert have also been included in the squad.

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New Zealand vs Pakistan T20I series full schedule:

1st T20: Sunday, March 16, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd T20: Tuesday, March 18, University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
3rd T20: Friday, March 21, Eden Park, Auckland
4th T20: Sunday, March 23, Bay Oval, Tauranga
5th T20: Wednesday, March 25, Sky Stadium, Wellington

New Zealand squad for T20I series against Pakistan:

Michael Bracewell (captain), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Jack Faulks (Matches 4-5), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (Matches 4-5), Kyle Jamieson (Matches 1-3), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O'Rourke (Matches 1-3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.