PAK v NZ 2021: PCB asks New Zealand to play two additional T20Is during Pakistan tour

New Zealand will tour Pakistan for the first time since 2002

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to play two additional T20Is when New Zealand visits Pakistan in September-October this year. The request has come as a part of preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. UAE will host the tournament that is set to begin on 17 October. 

New Zealand is scheduled to play three-match T20I series and three-match ODI series in Pakistan. This will be New Zealand’s first tour to Pakistan since 2002.

“Yes negotiations are being held with Cricket New Zealand to play two additional T20 matches because of the World T20 Cup but nothing is finalized as yet,” a source said.

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PCB is set to host top teams including New Zealand, England, Australia and the West Indies in the coming months. The tours have forced PCB to postpone the Pakistan Super League to April-May 2022. The T20 league was originally to be held from 20 February.

England will tour Pakistan for a short T20I series before the World Cup. This will be England's first tour since 2005-06.

Australia has not travelled to Pakistan since 1998 and will be sending a reconnaissance delegation ahead to check the security arrangements  

International cricket was suspended from 2010-2018 in Pakistan due to security concerns after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.

(Inputs: The Indian Express)