New Zealand is all set to tour Pakistan in September after 18 years, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday (August 5) confirmed a white-ball series against the Black Caps next month.
Pakistan will be hosting New Zealand in the three-match ODI series and five T20 Internationals in September. The three ODIs will be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs – with the series taking place on September 17, 19, and 21 at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
The five-match T20I series will be played from September 25 to October 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
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PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan confirmed the tour in an official release by saying: “Series against a top-ranked side like New Zealand will be a perfect start to a mouth-watering and highly-exciting home season of red and white-ball cricket. The 2019 World Cup finalists, who are also the World Test champions and ranked third in T20Is, will draw tremendous attraction and interest from the local fans, and will reinforce Pakistan's status as a safe and secure country.”
He added, “I am pleased New Zealand Cricket has accepted our offer to play two additional Twenty20 Internationals. These will not only provide extra games to both the countries as part of their ICC Men's T20 World Cup preparations but will also allow New Zealand players to spend extra days in Pakistan, familiarise themselves with our culture, and enjoy our hospitality.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief David White stated: “We're very much looking forward to returning to Pakistan for the start of their home international season. New Zealand was the first country outside India to tour Pakistan and we share a close relationship with the PCB. It's great that, after such a difficult time for Pakistan, international cricket is again being played in the country.”
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Notably, the top international teams avoided touring Pakistan due to security concerns after the 2009 militant attack on a bus carrying Sri Lanka cricketers to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
It is being said that the New Zealand team will arrive in Islamabad on September 11 and undergo hotel isolation till the 14th before resuming training on September 15. They will also reportedly play an intra-squad match on September 16 September.
(With ANI Inputs)
