The New Zealand cricket team will play three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs and five T20Is on their first tour of Pakistan in 18 years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday while announcing the schedule of the upcoming tour.

The New Zealand cricket team is set to tour Pakistan in 18 years this September for the white-ball series. On Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the complete fixtures of the One-Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) series.

After completing the tour of Bangladesh, the Kiwis will reach Pakistan on September 11. The three-match ODI leg will begin from September 17, while the five-match T20I series shall start from September 25.

The Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi will host the ODIs, whereas all the five T20Is will take place at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.

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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 themselves with our culture and enjoy our hospitality,” said PCB chief executive Wasim Khan in a statement.

“The 2019 World Cup finalists, who are also the World Test champions and ranked third in T20Is, will draw tremendous attraction and interest from local fans, and will reinforce Pakistan’s status as a safe and secure country,” he said.

He added that he was confident that the 2021-2022 season will prove to be a catalyst in rejuvenating the country’s talented youth while also attracting new fans to the game.

“We’re very much looking forward to returning to Pakistan for the start of their home international season,” said NZC Chief Executive David White.

“New Zealand was the first country outside India to tour Pakistan and we share a close relationship with the PCB. It’s great that after such a difficult time for Pakistan international cricket is again being played in the country,” he said.

In the Super League, Pakistan has 40 points from nine ODIs, while Kiwis have won all three ODIs and are presently sitting pretty at 30 points.

The seven top-ranked sides and World Cup hosts India will progress directly for the World Cup scheduled to take place in India in October/November 2023.

Kiwis will be the first side to visit Pakistan in what will be a bumper 2021-2022 season for local cricket fans and supporters, the PCB statement said.

“We’re very much looking forward to returning to Pakistan for the start of their home international season. New Zealand was the first country outside India to tour Pakistan, and we share a close relationship with the PCB. It’s great that, after such a difficult time for Pakistan, international cricket is again being played in the country,” said New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive David White.

Here are the complete fixtures:

• Friday, September 17: 1st ODI PAK v NZ, Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• Sunday, September 19: 2nd ODI PAK v NZ, Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• Tuesday, September 21: 3rd ODI PAK v NZ, Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

T20Is:

• Saturday, September 25: 1st T20I PAK v NZ, Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore
• Sunday, September 26: 2nd T20I PAK v NZ, Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore
• Wednesday, September 29: 3rd T20I PAK v NZ, Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore
• Friday, October 01: 4th T20I PAK v NZ, Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore
• Sunday, October 03: 5th T20I PAK v NZ, Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore

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