The decision to drop veteran batsman Ross Taylor for the Twenty20 series against Pakistan had been difficult, selector Gavin Larsen said.
Ross Taylor Photo: Photosport
But the form of Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips, who belted a world record third-wicket stand of 184 in the second T20 against the West Indies, had been compelling.
Phillips took just 51 balls for his 108 runs, while Conway's unbeaten 65 came off just 37 balls.
Larsen said that sort of quality had been hard to ignore.
"A lot of thought went into that decision - it wasn't an easy one by any stretch of the imagination," he said.
"Ross has done a great job for us over the years. He's been very consistent in that number five role, and performed that role really well.
"What Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway have done in those first two games against the West Indies was compelling. It's the brand of T20 cricket we're wanting to move forward with."
Kane Williamson and Trent Boult have been recalled for the second and third T20s after they were rested for last month's series against the West Indies.
Williamson's inclusion depends on the imminent birth of his first child - he withdrew from the current second Test against the West Indies in Wellington.
Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson is out of the T20 series against Pakistan with a bone stress injury in his back, while an abdominal muscle tear has ruled out fellow quick Hamish Bennett.
Their absence means Otago pace bowler Jacob Duffy has earned his first call-up to the Black Caps.