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 missing several key players because of the IPL.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) approaching, New Zealand has rested the players who regularly play in this shortest format for the five-match T20 International series against Pakistan. New Zealand will host this series starting on March 16.

New Zealand have rested a majority of their T20 regulars for the home series against Pakistan with the IPL around the corner. The series, comprising five T20Is, begins March 16 while the IPL begins March 22.

Michael Bracewell has been named Black Caps captain for this month’s five-match Twenty20 International series against Pakistan. With a host of players unavailable for Indian Premier League commitments,

Allrounder Michael Bracewell will captain a different looking New Zealand T20I squad for the five-game series against Pakistan at home that starts on March 16. Seven members of New Zealand's silver-medal winning Champions Trophy squad have been selected for the series while those with IPL commitments were not considered.

Michael Bracewell will lead a depleted New Zealand side in the five-match T20I series against Pakistan starting Sunday, March 16.

All-rounder Michael Bracewell will lead New Zealand in their five-match home T20I series against Pakistan starting from Sunday onwards at Christchurch. Regular skipper Mitchell Santner will be unavailable for the series due to T20 league commitments,

In the absence of IPL-bound players, veterans Tim Seifert, Finn Allen and James Neesham have been picked in the T20I squad for the five-T20I series at home against Pakistan.