New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was not in the series against Bangladesh. He returned to the team for the T20I series against Pakistan. Also, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Devon Conway returned to the team.

Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson have recovered from injuries while Kane Williamson and Devon Conway are also back after rest. With these four stars, New Zealand announced the full-strength team for the five-match T20I series against Pakistan at home.

Henry was sidelined for two months after injuring his right hamstring in the World Cup against South Africa in Pune. He is returning to international cricket again with the Pakistan series. However, before joining the New Zealand team, the fast bowler will make his return to competitive cricket for Canterbury in the Super Smash T20 match against Central Districts on January 5.

Henry returned for the entire series but Ferguson, who suffered an Achilles injury during the World Cup, was not included in the squad for the entire series. He has only been included in the squad for the last three T20Is. As a result, fast bowler Ben Sears got a place in the team for the first two matches. Ferguson will play for Auckland in three Super Smash matches over the next two weeks before joining the New Zealand squad.

Williamson will not be able to play in the third T20I against Pakistan due to observation of knee injury. Otherwise, he will regain the captaincy for the remaining four matches. That is, after playing the first two matches, Williamson will return for the fourth and fifth matches after resting.

Mitchell Santner replaced Williamson as captain for the third T20I. And batter Josh Clarkson has been called as Williamson's replacement for the third T20I.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said, "It's great to be welcoming back Matt, Devon, Lockie and Kane. They're four quality players in their own right and their skills and experience will bolster our side. With just three T20I series left before the T20 World Cup, all matches are vitally important for our preparation."

While these experienced cricketers return to the team, young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has been rested. Rachin has been in continuous play since August last year.

"Rachin's a young player who has immense value to New Zealand Cricket and we therefore want to look after his wellbeing. He's the only player or staff member to have been touring non-stop for the past five months across five countries and that's simply not sustainable. He's still very much part of our thinking for the T20 World Cup in June and will come back into the reckoning for the T20 series against Australia in February,” Stead added.

It should be noted that the five-match T20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand will begin with the first T20 match in Auckland on January 12. The remaining matches of the series will be held on January 14, 17, 19 and 21 respectively. Pakistan team is currently in Australia. They are playing the last match of the three-match Test series there. Shan Masood's team has already lost the series.

New Zealand T20 squad: Kane Williamson (c) (except game 3), Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson (game 3 only), Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ben Sears (games 1 & 2), Lockie Ferguson (games 3, 4 & 5)