PCB announced the complete schedule of the Pakistan vs New Zealand series on Monday.
On Monday (October 10), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that New Zealand will tour Pakistan twice for a multi-format series over a period of five months starting in December this year.
Earlier this year, New Zealand had called off the Pakistan tour just hours before the first ODI got underway due to an alleged security threat and left the country the same day.
However, the PCB managed to convince Australia and England to visit Pakistan, and they successfully hosted the bilateral series against the two sides without any difficulties, paving the way for New Zealand to return to the country next year.
Well, on Monday, the PCB announced that Pakistan will be hosting New Zealand next year in two Test matches, eight ODIs, and five T20Is, though the two series will take place in two parts.
The two Test matches, which will be part of the World Test Championship, will be played at Karachi from December 27-31 and Multan from January 4-8. Karachi will also host the three ODIs from January 11-15 as part of the ICC World Cup Super League.
New Zealand will return to Pakistan in April and will play four Twenty20s at Karachi from April 13-19. Lahore will host the fifth T20 and two ODIs from April 23-28 and the remaining three ODIs will be played at Rawalpindi from May 1-7.
Meanwhile, David White, New Zealand Cricket chief executive, stated: “New Zealand and Pakistan share a terrific history in international cricket and there is genuine respect between the two teams as well as the two boards. The recent tours from Australia and England have left us in no doubt regarding the quality of the Pakistan side across all formats, and the extent of the challenge that awaits us.”
On the other hand, Zakir Khan, PCB director of international cricket, said that the ODIs against New Zealand will help Pakistan prepare for next year's Asia Cup and the World Cup 2023.
Schedule for New Zealand's tour of Pakistan:
27-31 Dec – 1st Test, Karachi (ICC World Test Championship)
4-8 Jan – 2nd Test, Multan (ICC World Test Championship)
11 Jan – 1st ODI, Karachi (ICC Super League)
13 Jan – 2nd ODI, Karachi (ICC Super League)
15 Jan – 3rd ODI, Karachi (ICC Super League)
13 Apr - 1st T20I, Karachi
15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Karachi
16 Apr – 3rd T20I, Karachi
19 Apr – 4th T20I, Karachi
23 Apr – 5th T20I, Lahore
26 Apr – 1st ODI, Lahore
28 Apr – 2nd ODI, Lahore
1 May – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
4 May – 4th ODI, Rawalpindi
7 May – 5th ODI, Rawalpindi
(With AP/PCB Inputs)