Ehsan Mani confident of hosting New Zealand, England despite security concerns after Taliban takeover

The upcoming two months are crucial for Pakistan in the aspect of bringing cricket back to the country. The 'Men in Green’ are scheduled to host two heavyweights, New Zealand and England ahead of the T20 World Cup. New Zealand are set to play three ODIs and five T20Is in Rawalpindi and Lahore respectively.

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The ODIs are scheduled to be played on September 17, 19, and 21 while the T20Is will get underway on September 25, with the matches to follow on September 26, 29, and October 1 and 3. England, on the other hand, will arrive in Pakistan just before start of the T20 World Cup and play two back to back T20Is on October 13 and 14 at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. While the Men’s team will head to UAE for the T20 World Cup after the matches, the women’s team will stay in Pakistan to play three ODIs. They will also play two T20Is on the same days as their men counterparts.

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Meanwhile, in a recent development, dark clouds are looming over the series going ahead after both New Zealand and England expressed their concerns on travelling to Pakistan after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. Security officers from both countries will also visit Pakistan to access the security arrangements. Pakistan Cricket Board ( PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani, however, is assured of both the series going ahead as per schedule.

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“Cricket is taking place and we have New Zealand coming in September followed by England in October. There are no problems in hosting matches in Pakistan,” Mani told Times of India.

Pakistan currently is playing a two-match Test series in West Indies. The visitors suffered a heartbreaking 1 wicket loss in the first Test.

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