Pakistan to host New Zealand for 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is ahead of T20 World Cup

Pakistan is all set to host New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is in September-October. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the whole itinerary for the tour on Thursday with the visiting contingent reaching Islamabad on September 11. This is the first time New Zealand will be touring Pakistan since November 2003.

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As far as the tour is concerned, the three-match ODI series will start on September 17 with all matches to be played in Rawalpindi. Lahore will play hosts to the T20Is with the series to commence on September 25 and will go on until October 3, two weeks before the mega event commences.

Given the fact that the series directly clashes with the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL), New Zealand's main players are unlikely to be available for this tour. NZC Chief David White only recently confirmed that the cricketers featuring in the IPL will be available for the entire second leg of matches starting from September 19.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan was delighted after New Zealand agreed to tour and also gave the nod to play two more T20Is than decided earlier. "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.

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“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 with our culture and enjoy our hospitality," he said according to Press Release.

Series schedule

11 Sep – Arrival in Islamabad

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12-14 Sep – Room isolation

15-16 Sep – Training/practice/intra-squad match

17 Sep – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

19 Sep – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

21 Sep – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

25 Sep – 1st T20I, Lahore

26 Sep – 2nd T20I, Lahore

29 Sep – 3rd T20I, Lahore

1 Oct – 4th T20I, Lahore

3 Oct – 5th T20I, Lahore