Duffy earns maiden T20 World Cup selection

Duffy earns maiden T20 World Cup selection

Jacob Duffy has been named in New Zealand's squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup next month. It will be the pacer's first World Cup, coming after a prolific 2025 in which he claimed 81 international wickets.

Mitchell Santner will lead an experienced side. Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs and Zakary Foulkes have all missed selection for the 15-man squad. Kyle Jamieson has been named as the travelling reserve.

Alongside Duffy, the pace attack includes Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Adam Milne, with James Neesham providing additional bowling. Santner is joined by Ish Sodhi as the frontline spinners.

In the batting lineup, the explosive Finn Allen is partnered with wicketkeeper Tim Seifert. Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra complete the batting order.

Jamieson could feature during the tournament, as Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson are expected to take short-term paternity leave during the event.

Head coach Rob Walter said: "World Cups are special and there's few better places to play one than in India. I'm really happy with the skills and experience of this squad and I think we have a group which can make New Zealand proud."

"We've got plenty of power and skill in the batting, quality bowlers who can adapt to conditions, plus five all-rounders who all bring something slightly different. This is an experienced group and the players are no strangers to playing in the sub-continent, which will be valuable," he added.

New Zealand ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi

Travelling Reserve: Kyle Jamieson

New Zealand are in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa and UAE. They begin their tournament against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8, play UAE on February 10 at the same venue, face South Africa on February 14 in Ahmedabad, and conclude the group stage against Canada in Chennai on February 17.