Now, with this win, Kiwis are 1-0 up in the five-match T20I series. After bundling Pakistan out for just 91 runs in 18.4 overs, NZ chased it down in just 10.1 overs with just one wicket lost.
Regular skipper Mitchell Santner will be unavailable for the series due to T20 league commitments, notably the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting from March 22 onwards.
Bracewell has not played an international match since March last year and as only recently returned to domestic duties following injury concerns that have included a ruptured Achilles and a broken finger, as per ICC.
NZC took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared this lovely, heartwarming gesture from a little boy who had the honour of being the coin toss boy and accompanied Shaheen Shah Afridi and Kane Williamson to the toss.
Pakistan registered a 3-0 loss to the Aussies in the Test series in Australia. A key highlight of the series was the lack of pace with which Pakistan was bowling. Known to touch 145-150 kmph easily, Pakistani bowlers, including Shaheen, struggled to hit these speeds throughout the series. Sh
Kane Williamson might still travel to India for the ODI World Cup later this year, with team management keen to bring the injured batter as a mentor. Simultaneously, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has declined to rule Williamson out of the World Cup as a player.