Share

Black Caps weigh up playing in Pakistan

Wellington - New Zealand is weighing up playing cricket in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years after an invitation from the south Asian nation's cricket board.

New Zealand have not played in Pakistan since 2003 due to security concerns but had been asked to play Twenty20 matches in the country later this year, governing body New Zealand Cricket said.

"NZC has received a request from the PCB chairperson for New Zealand to play in Pakistan," an NZC spokesperson said.

"At the moment NZC is doing due diligence on the request and consulting with security providers, the government, and the players.

"We will respond to the PCB when this process has been completed."

The Black Caps are scheduled to play Tests and one-day internationals against Pakistan in November at the United Arab Emirates, the country's designated 'home' base.

No dates have been issued for those matches but the spokesperson said they would be played in the UAE.

Pakistan has remained largely starved of international cricket since the 2009 attacks on a bus carrying Sri Lanka's team in Lahore, which wounded six players and a British coach, and killed eight Pakistanis.

But Sri Lanka returned to the country for a Twenty20 match in Lahore in October and West Indies played a recent T20 series in Karachi.

New Zealand abandoned their last test tour of Pakistan in 2002 after a bomb exploded outside their Karachi hotel but returned to play an ODI series in 2003.

Pakistan media, citing an unnamed source in the national cricket board, reported that Australia had also been approached to play in the country.

Cricket Australia were not able to provide immediate comment.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE