Naeem Niazi
LAHORE, Apr 24 (APP): New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell on Wednesday said he was completely satisfied with the security and hospitality on the tour and was looking forward to playing Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
“The experience gained from playing on these Pakistani surfaces during the last 10-15 matches played in the last few months will serve us well during the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan,” he said when asked at a pre-tournament press conference. T20I series match against Pakistan on Thursday.
The five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand is currently tied 1-1, with one match abandoned due to rain in Rawalpindi.
New Zealand captain Bracewell further said that they thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Pakistan and were satisfied with the arrangements put in place by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and are looking forward to playing on these surfaces next February. “The experience gained from these games will be crucial going into the next edition of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan,” he added.
As for the young side's performance, the all-rounder believed the Black Caps had an exciting opportunity for three debutants to perform during the tour, adding that the tour was part of New Zealand Cricket's plans to provide an experience of playing on all kinds of surfaces.
Taking the wicket of Babar Azam for the fifth time in his career, he said that Babar Azam was a quality player and he was happy whenever he got the better of a senior player like Babar.
Bracewell said: “We learned from our loss against Pakistan in the second match as a batsman and adapted our game to the conditions. We put pressure on the Pakistan team during the last match in Rawalpindi.
On the series win against Pakistan in their own backyard with a young side, Bracewell said: “We are under no illusions that the last two games at the Gaddafi Stadium will be easy. We will continue to focus on the adjustments and not rest on our laurels from the victory in the last game.”
He hailed Mark Chapman for his match-winning innings against Pakistan in the last T20I and hoped he would continue to entertain the crowd with such innings.
Bracewell said his bowlers learned from the skills of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who made a difference with his bowling in the first over of the match, and the other players on how to use their home ground.
The New Zealand captain said his team missed Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, but added that their absence provided an opportunity to play and learn against world-class players in different conditions. “A young team is learning how to play and compete in this different part of the world,” the Black Caps captain humbly assessed.
