The cricketing world will soon set its eyes on New Zealand as the BLACKCAPS prepare to face Pakistan in a gripping five-match T20 International series starting on March 16, 2025. This series serves as both teams' first major fixture following their respective performances at the ICC Champions Trophy.
New Zealand Cricket has named Michael Bracewell as the captain for the series, filling the shoes of regular skipper Mitchel Santner, who is unavailable due to Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments. The squad features notable recalls, with Ish Sodhi, Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham, and Tim Seifert returning to the national side.
Speaking about his recent appointment, Bracewell expressed his excitement and responsibility, declaring, "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 my squad included for this series as well, which is nice.” He emphasizes the importance of creating a positive environment for the players to excel.
The team will strategically manage its key players, as Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke will only participate in the first three matches. Matt Henry, who was the top wicket-taker at the recently concluded Champions Trophy, is slated to make appearances only for the final two matches.
On the other side, Pakistan enters this series under somewhat tumultuous conditions after failing to clinch a single victory as hosts during the Champions Trophy. The team lost to New Zealand and India, and their match against Bangladesh was washed out due to rain, leading to their early exit from the tournament.
After the dismal showing at the Champions Trophy, Pakistan has revamped its T20I roster and has announced a shift within their coaching ranks as well. The team's batting coach, Mohammad Yousuf, who initially did not join the tour due to his daughter’s illness, has now confirmed his participation following improvements in her health. Yousuf opted to fulfill his national duty, stating, “Going with the team is a national duty, and I have decided to fulfil it.”
Yousuf's rejoining the coaching staff brings notable experience to the Pakistan setup, especially as they replace several of their senior players who underperformed, including Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, both of whom were dropped from the team.
The squads are filled with both fervent fresh faces and seasoned players, making the match-ups even more compelling. Pakistan has made adjustments to their coaching panel as well, retaining Aaqib Javed as the interim head coach and Azhar Mahmood as the assistant coach.
Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s vice-captain, shared his enthusiasm on the challenges of taking on new responsibilities, remarking, "I have been entrusted with additional roles, and I will try my best to perform well." He emphasizes the energy the younger players bring to the squad and aims to achieve success with their contributions.
This will mark the first T20I series since both teams last faced each other, where the last encounter on April 2024 ended with weather disruptions. The anticipation is escalated by the fact both sides are eager to showcase strength and determination after their respective disappointments.
The match schedule is as follows: The first T20I will be held at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on March 16, followed by matches at the University of Otago Oval, Dunedin, on March 18; at Eden Park, Auckland, on March 21; at Bay Oval, Tauranga, on March 23; and concluding with the fifth T20I at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on March 26. Following the T20Is, the teams will face off again with three One Day Internationals, scheduled from March 29 to April 5.
With both teams driven to recover and reinforce their respective standings, cricket aficionados can expect fierce competition on both sides. This series presents opportunities for up-and-coming players on both rosters to demonstrate their skills and earn their places for future tournaments, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.