New Zealand agree to tour Pakistan

WELLINGTON—New Zealand will warm up for the Champions Trophy in September with a three-ODI series in Pakistan, subject to safety approval.
New Zealand had been asked to extend their trip to five matches, after West Indies turned down Pakistan’s offer to visit for three one-dayers as well, but decided on three.
A New Zealand spokesperson told: “NZC has agreed to play three matches in Pakistan. With the Champions Trophy taking place we felt that was the right number in terms of our preparation.”
It will be their first visit in five years and is likely to take place in August, but details will only be finalised once security approval has been given. “The security aspects will be worked through closer to the time,” NZC confirmed.
The board are not keen to return to Karachi, where a bomb exploded on New Zealand’s last tour of the country, in 2002. Instead it is understood they favour Rawalpindi and Lahore.
The news is a further fillip for Pakistan following Australia’s agreement, announced on Monday, to fulfil their obligations in Pakistan in a tour split into two legs over two visits in 2009 and 2010.
Australia had postponed their tour, originally scheduled for March and April, owing to security concerns arising from suicide bombings in Pakistan. The Champions Trophy is slated for Pakistan, but Sri Lanka are down as reserve hosts. The West Indies board had declined Pakistan’s offer as they are already committed to play some games in Canada in August.
New Zealand will warm up for the Champions Trophy in September with a three-ODI series in Pakistan, subject to safety approval. New Zealand had been asked to extend their trip to five matches, after West Indies turned down Pakistan’s offer to visit for three one-dayers as well, but decided on three.
A New Zealand spokesperson told Cricinfo: “NZC has agreed to play three matches in Pakistan. With the Champions Trophy taking place we felt that was the right number in terms of our preparation.”
It will be their first visit in five years and is likely to take place in August, but details will only be finalised once security approval has been given. “The security aspects will be worked through closer to the time,” NZC confirmed.
The board are not keen to return to Karachi, where a bomb exploded on New Zealand’s last tour of the country, in 2002. Instead it is understood they favour Rawalpindi and Lahore.
The news is a further fillip for Pakistan following Australia’s agreement, announced on Monday, to fulfil their obligations in Pakistan in a tour split into two legs over two visits in 2009 and 2010.
Australia had postponed their tour, originally scheduled for March and April, owing to security concerns arising from suicide bombings in Pakistan. The Champions Trophy is slated for Pakistan, but Sri Lanka are down as reserve hosts.
The West Indies board had declined Pakistan’s offer as they are already committed to play some games in Canada in August.—Agencies