Michael Bracewell will captain New Zealand for the first time on home soil when they meet Pakistan in a five-game T20 series, leading a squad named Tuesday missing several key players because of the IPL.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bracewell starred as the Black Caps reached the final of the Champions Trophy and is one of seven players from that one-day team selected for the T20s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But a host of top names are not available due to Indian Premier League commitments, including regular skipper Mitchell Santner, along with Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Phillips.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kane Williamson also made himself unavailable for the series, which gets under way on Sunday in Christchurch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's a great honour and a real privilege to captain your country," said Bracewell, who led the side on their white-ball tour of Pakistan last year but has yet to take the reins at home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Mitch Santner's done a great job since taking over as white-ball captain and I'll really just be trying to build on his good work and create an enjoyable environment for the guys to perform in.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Pakistan are always a dangerous short-form side with lots of power and pace and we know they’ll be hurting after an early exit in the Champions Trophy," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Spinner Ish Sodhi was recalled while paceman Ben Sears is back after recovering from a torn hamstring.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert were also included as both teams start building up to next year's T20 World Cup in India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n