Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the itinerary for New Zealand’s visit to Pakistan.
Pakistan and New Zealand will play their first test match on December 26.
PCB has said in a statement that two Test matches and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) were announced following consultation with New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
According to the revised itinerary, the first Test of the two-match series will begin on December 26 at the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi, while the second Test will begin on January 3 in Multan. The first Test of the two-match series was originally scheduled to begin on December 27.
On January 10, 12, and 14, three one-day internationals will be held in Karachi.
Schedule of New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan:
First Test – December 26-30 at National Bank Cricket Karachi
Second Test – January 3-7 at Multan Cricket Stadium
First ODI – January 10 at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi
Second ODI – January 12 at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi
Third ODI – January 14 at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi
Previously the Kiwis were slated to visit Pakistan twice, once for a limited-overs series in April 2023 and again for a Test series in December. The two boards have now decided to play T20s later in April in addition to two Tests and three ODIs in December–January.
More than a year after cancelling a series due to security issues New Zealand will return. Minutes before the start of the first ODI in Rawalpindi in September last year New Zealand had unexpectedly announced to end of their tour to Pakistan which was happening after almost two decades, leaving Pakistan’s officials furious.
A full-strength Australian team visited Pakistan earlier this year for a whole series.
Then England played seven Twenty20 internationals during their first visit to Pakistan after 17 years in October and they were back for three Test matches in December. With the third Test set for Karachi from December 17 to 21 they currently have a 2-0 series advantage.
