Wheeler returns to New Zealand Twenty20 squad

Hamilton: Ben Wheeler will make his Blackcaps return after being named in the T20 squad to face Pakistan in the three-match GJ Gardner Homes series.

Wheeler, who last played for the Blackcaps in February 2017, will be part of an inter-changeable 13-man squad, from which the selectors will seek to employ various combinations throughout the series.

Seth Rance will join the New Zealand ODI squad for the final match in Wellington, with Trent Boult being rested until the second and third T20. Lockie Ferguson will miss the first T20, Tim Southee the second, while Ross Taylor has been selected for the first T20 only.

Players who have been named in the T20 squad and aren’t currently involved in the ODI series will be available to represent their Burger King Super Smash team in the final, but won’t be available should the final be postponed to the reserve day.

New Zealand Twenty20 squad

• Kane Williamson (c) - Northern Districts
• Trent Boult - Northern Districts (2nd & 3rd T20 only)
• Tom Bruce - Central Districts
• Colin de Grandhomme - Auckland
• Lockie Ferguson - Auckland (2nd & 3rd T20 only)
• Martin Guptill - Auckland
• Anaru Kitchen - Otago
• Colin Munro - Auckland
• Glenn Phillips - Auckland
• Seth Rance - Central Districts (will join squad for final ODI)
• Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts
• Ish Sodhi - Northern Districts
• Tim Southee - Northern Districts (1st & 3rd T20 only)
• Ross Taylor - Central Districts (1st T20 only)
• Ben Wheeler - Central Districts

Kiwis selector Gavin Larsen made special mention of Mark Chapman as being unfortunate not to be selected.

The T20 series starts on 22 January at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.