NZ asks PCB to finalise rescheduling of series

The Pakistan Cricket Board has been asked by their New Zealand counterparts to take a final call on rescheduling their forthcoming “home series” against the Black Caps. The Test and the ODI series are now likely to be played at different venues after New Zealand made it clear that they would not send their squad to Pakistan because of uncertain security situation in the trouble-torn country. After talks between the PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt and his New Zealand counterpart Justin Vaughan in Dubai, Pakistan has been given the option of playing the Test series in Kiwis’ home in December and postponing the ODI series to some other date to a neutral venue.

According to the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, Pakistan is due to host New Zealand in October-November before going to Australia. “New Zealand have said that weather conditions in their country in October-November don’t permit the Test and one-day series to be played in one go, so they have suggested we play the three Tests in December in New Zealand,” one PCB official said.

He said the one-day series would be re-adjusted probably in Malaysia or the UAE early next year. “It would be convenient for us to play in New Zealand in December as we would be touring Australia at the same time,” the official said. He said that New Zealand Cricket also had broadcasting issues which is another reason behind they wanted the series to be split into two parts. “We have made clear to them wherever we play these series they would be considered as Pakistan’s home series and all revenues would go to the PCB,” the official said. Butt had also talks with the Australian, English and Irish cricket officials in Dubai to organise Pakistan’s matches next year.

“We are in last stages of finalising a Test series with Australia in England next year while we will also play against England. Ireland is also keen to host some matches,” he said. Pakistan cricket has been hit hard by the deteriorating security conditions in the country and after the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team in Lahore last month, countries have made it clear that they don’t want to tour Pakistan in present scenario.