Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 5-match T20I series at home against New Zealand in April with Rawalpindi and Lahore set to host matches. New Zealand will arrive in Pakistan on April 14, 4 days ahead of the series, which will be played from 18 to 27. The 5-match series will serve as a crucial part of preparations for the T20 World Cup in June for the two teams.
This will be New Zealand’s third visit to the country in the last 17 months. Previously, they had traveled to Pakistan in December 2022/January 2023 to feature in two Tests and three ODIs – part of ICC Men’s Championship. Later that year in April, they travelled to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi to feature in 10 white-ball matches.
Earlier this year, Pakistan toured New Zealand for a 5-match T20I series which they lost 4-1. Lahore was not chosen as a venue for the series as it would be hosting a women’s T20I series between Pakistan and West Indies at around the same time. Notably, a PCB official had spoken about a possible New Zealand tour earlier this year.
PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND T20Is SCHEDULE
18 April – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
20 April – 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi
21 April – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi
25 April – 4th T20I, Lahore
27 April – 5th T20I, Lahore
New Zealand will arrive in Islamabad on April 14 and will play three T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. Following that, both sides will move to Lahore, where they will play the remaining two T20Is of the series.
It remains to be seen whether New Zealand would be able to send a full-strength team for the T20I series in Pakistan as most of their stars, including the likes of Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra, will be plying their trades in the IPL 2024 season, starting March 22.
Both New Zealand and Pakistan are set to announce their squads for the 5-match series in the coming days.
Pakistan will be hoping to make good use of the opportunity to train before the T20 World Cup, starting June 1. Pakistan will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against USA on June 6 in Dallas before their big-ticket match against India on June 9 in New York. The Super 8 stages of the premier T20 tournament will be played in the West Indies with the final set to be played in Bridgetown on June 29.
