WELLINGTON: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has turned down the offer presented by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to visit Pakistan for two Twenty20 Internationals.
Confirming the report, NZC chairman Greg Barclay said that keeping in mind factors like government advisory and independent security consultant, a decision was taken to turn down the invitation. “We were open-minded and we went through all the information. It was an extensive due diligence exercise: Government advisory, Mfat, ICC, independent security consultants, and those were peer-reviewed back here as well,” stuff.co.nz quoted Barclay, as saying. “We just came to the decision that given the current circumstances, it just wasn’t right for us to accept the invitation to play in Pakistan,” he added.
On the other hand,India’s tour to New Zealand early next year, which will comprise five ODIs and three T20 Internationals, will start with the first One-day International in Napier on January 23.
The opener will be followed by two matches in Mount Maunganui on January 26 and 28, Hamilton on Janaury 31 and the final 50-over game in Wellington on February 3. The three-match T20 series will start on February 6 in Wellington, followed by matches in Auckland on February 8 and Hamilton on February 10. Besides, the Indian women’s teams will also feature in three T20I double-headers in early February. Prior to the T20Is, the Indian and New Zealand women’s teams will also square off in three ICC Women’s Championship fixtures that will help to identify seven direct qualifiers (excluding the hosts) for the 2021 Women’s World Cup to be held in New Zealand.
According to the fixture announced by New Zealand Cricket today, the men’s and women’s ODIs between India and New Zealand will be played over consecutive days in Napier, Mt Maunganui and Hamilton, and the T20s on the same days in Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton.
NZC has also deferred the start of all games, barring the second T20I in Auckland on February 8, by one hour as per its agreement with India’s host broadcaster Star Sports. (Agencies)
