Schedule for NZ announced

New Zealand Cricket announced the schedule for Pakistan’s tour of the country that takes place from late December.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced the schedule for Pakistan’s tour of the country that takes place from late December this year until the start of February next year.

The series comprises two Tests, six One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 internationals.

“As part of our lead-in to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup, we have agreed with the Pakistan Cricket Board to play more short-form cricket to prepare optimally,” said NZC Chief Executive Justin Vaughan. “We have agreed to move from three Tests to two to allow the addition of another ODI and three Twenty20 internationals, which makes sense for both teams before the World Cup commences. The mix of games also makes it easier to fit into what is a condensed window of international cricket this season.”

The tour will start with three Twenty20 internationals in the week between Christmas and New Year. The two Tests will then be played in January, before the ODI series takes the tour through to its conclusion on February 5.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2010.