Wellington, March 11 -- 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, notably the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting from March 22 onwards.

A standout in New Zealand's run to the Champions Trophy Final with an unbeaten fifty and two wickets, Bracewell is joined by six other players from the campaign for the upcoming home series.

Bracewell gets his first opportunity to lead his country on home soil having captained the side during a white-ball tour of Pakistan last year, and looks forward to the challenge of hosting Pakistan.

"It is...