New Zealand set to tour Pakistan twice in 2022-23

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Monday that New Zealand Cricket has confirmed that it will tour Pakistan for two Tests and three ODIs in December/January 2022-23 as part of the Future Tours Programme, and that it will return in April 2023 for ten white-ball matches to make up for the September 2021 tour that was cancelled. Following meetings and discussions between PCB and NZC Chairpersons Ramiz Raja and Martin Snedden, the arrangement was finalised.

The two Tests and three ODIs will be part of the ICC World Test Championship and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, respectively, while the second visit will include two additional ODIs, bringing the total number of ODIs and T20Is to five. With the tour and match details now confirmed, the two boards will continue to collaborate to finalise the series dates, which will be announced in due course.

Brace yourselves! New Zealand to tour Pakistan for two Tests and three ODIs in December/January 2022-23 and will return in April 2023 for 10 white-ball matches. Exciting, right?#harhaalmaincricket pic.twitter.com/IRwgcOsYoq

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 20, 2021

‘PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOMES’

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “I am pleased with the outcomes of our discussions and negotiations, and thank Martin Snedden and his board for their understanding and support. This reflects the strong, cordial and historic relations the two boards have and reconfirms Pakistan’s status as an important member of the cricket fraternity.”

NZC Chief Executive David White: “Our respective chairmen, Ramiz Raja and Martin Snedden, had very fruitful and constructive discussions while in Dubai, further strengthening the bond between the two organisations. It’s good to be going back.”

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According to the latest announcement, Pakistan will host eight Tests, 11 ODIs, and 13 T20Is against Australia, England, and New Zealand from March 2022 to April 2023.

NZ HAD CANCELLED THEIR EARLIER PAKISTAN TOUR

New Zealand Cricket had called off their limited overs tour of Pakistan in September just minutes before the first ODI. The Kiwis cited security concerns as the reason for their withdrawal from the series. The decision is a massive blow to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the country has not hosted any international series for quite a while now. 

The tour was supposed to have three ODIs and five T20s but neither team left their hotel on the morning of the game, and spectators were not allowed to enter the stadium. The New Zealand cricket board released a statement on Friday mentioning that the tour was called off following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan.

“Following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the Blackcaps will not continue with the tour,” the NZ cricket board statement at the time read. The Kiwi contingent is reportedly preparing to leave the country.

NZC chief executive David White had said that player safety was of paramount importance but was sure that the PCB would have been wonderful hosts. “I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only responsible option.”