Tim robison

T20 World Cup: With less than two months for the Men’s T20 World Cup to begin in the West Indies and the USA from June 1-29, New Zealand’s upcoming tour of five T20Is in Pakistan will play an important part in the visitors’ finalising their squad for the mega event, where their best result has been runners-up finish in 2021 edition.

With most first-choice players plying their trade in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, it allows off-spin all-rounder Michael Bracewell to captain a youthful New Zealand mixed with experienced campaigners when they face Pakistan in a five-match T20I series starting on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

For Bracewell, it has been a long road to returning to international cricket after his last appearance for New Zealand came in March 2023. In June, while batting for Worcestershire in a T20 Blast match against Yorkshire, Bracewell ruptured his right Achilles and underwent surgery. With an estimated recovery period of six to eight months, he was ruled out of playing for New Zealand in the Men’s ODI World Cup in India.