The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
New Zealand Cricket is keeping an open mind about a reciprocal tour of Pakistan next year but is yet to commit to the Black Caps’ first visit there in 18 years.
Under the Future Tours Programme, Pakistan is scheduled to host the Black Caps for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s in September, before England’s arrival then the T20 World Cup in India.
England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison confirmed this month that England’s men would play two T20 internationals in Karachi in October, the side’s first visit to Pakistan since 2005.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Wasim Khan said it was ready to welcome back frontline nations who largely stayed away since the attack on the touring Sri Lankan team’s bus in Lahore in 2009: “The full-strength England squad will arrive at the backend of our home white-ball series against New Zealand,” he said in a statement.
NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock said the Black Caps were locked in for that series, but venues were not yet confirmed.
“Regarding location, nothing’s been decided yet but we do note the decision of England, and are keeping an open mind on the issue,” he said.
“We’re yet to discuss this matter with the players or players association – so have no set position at this point.”
The Black Caps haven’t toured Pakistan since 2003, when a Chris Cairns-skippered side without a host of frontliners lost an ODI series 5-0, 18 months after their previous tour was abandoned after a bomb blast outside their Karachi hotel on the morning of the second test.
NZC and other major nations have avoided Pakistan in the past 15 years due to safety concerns, meaning a significant financial hit with home matches staged in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan have been regular visitors to New Zealand shores and arrived last week with a 34-strong squad for their current tour.
In 2018, NZC declined an invitation to play two T20 matches in Pakistan on security advice, after some players expressed reservations.
England’s confirmation is a sign of security fears easing, and an apparent thank-you for Pakistan touring there in a Covid bubble in August-September. Zimbabwe completed a tour of Pakistan last month behind closed doors and South Africa plans to send a security delegation with a view to touring next year.
Black Caps batting coach Luke Ronchi played in the Pakistan Super League in recent years, along with former team-mates Grant Elliott and Colin Munro.
Asked by Stuff about the prospect of touring Pakistan with the New Zealand team next year, Ronchi said: “A lot more teams are going there and are comfortable with going there.
“When I’ve been there, because it’s league cricket it’s more my decision and my family’s decision. If people are uncomfortable then that’s their choice... I have no issues with going back.”
New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association chief executive Heath Mills said a detailed security assessment would be required several months before the tour, before it was signed off. Security consultant Reg Dickason, who also works with England and previously accompanied the Black Caps to Pakistan, would again advise NZC.
Mills said an international team was a lot higher profile, and higher risk, than individuals touring and playing for domestic teams.
“Yes, absolutely we need to be looking at it and considering touring there [Pakistan] again, there’s no question about that, but as always we’re expressing caution: what does that involve, is it one or two games or is it a full tour, how many cities are involved and what is the risk in each place?
“There’s a whole list of questions to work our way through, as we do for anywhere we tour,” Mills said.
After the final tour of the home summer by Bangladesh in March, the Black Caps have no confirmed engagements until that Pakistan series.
Frontliners like Kane Williamson and Trent Boult will return to the Indian Premier League in April-May, and NZC is understood to be in talks with England about playing a two-test series there in June, if neither team makes the ICC Test Championship final scheduled for Lord’s that month.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...caps-tour-of-pakistan-their-first-in-18-years
Under the Future Tours Programme, Pakistan is scheduled to host the Black Caps for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s in September, before England’s arrival then the T20 World Cup in India.
England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison confirmed this month that England’s men would play two T20 internationals in Karachi in October, the side’s first visit to Pakistan since 2005.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Wasim Khan said it was ready to welcome back frontline nations who largely stayed away since the attack on the touring Sri Lankan team’s bus in Lahore in 2009: “The full-strength England squad will arrive at the backend of our home white-ball series against New Zealand,” he said in a statement.
NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock said the Black Caps were locked in for that series, but venues were not yet confirmed.
“Regarding location, nothing’s been decided yet but we do note the decision of England, and are keeping an open mind on the issue,” he said.
“We’re yet to discuss this matter with the players or players association – so have no set position at this point.”
The Black Caps haven’t toured Pakistan since 2003, when a Chris Cairns-skippered side without a host of frontliners lost an ODI series 5-0, 18 months after their previous tour was abandoned after a bomb blast outside their Karachi hotel on the morning of the second test.
NZC and other major nations have avoided Pakistan in the past 15 years due to safety concerns, meaning a significant financial hit with home matches staged in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan have been regular visitors to New Zealand shores and arrived last week with a 34-strong squad for their current tour.
In 2018, NZC declined an invitation to play two T20 matches in Pakistan on security advice, after some players expressed reservations.
England’s confirmation is a sign of security fears easing, and an apparent thank-you for Pakistan touring there in a Covid bubble in August-September. Zimbabwe completed a tour of Pakistan last month behind closed doors and South Africa plans to send a security delegation with a view to touring next year.
Black Caps batting coach Luke Ronchi played in the Pakistan Super League in recent years, along with former team-mates Grant Elliott and Colin Munro.
Asked by Stuff about the prospect of touring Pakistan with the New Zealand team next year, Ronchi said: “A lot more teams are going there and are comfortable with going there.
“When I’ve been there, because it’s league cricket it’s more my decision and my family’s decision. If people are uncomfortable then that’s their choice... I have no issues with going back.”
New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association chief executive Heath Mills said a detailed security assessment would be required several months before the tour, before it was signed off. Security consultant Reg Dickason, who also works with England and previously accompanied the Black Caps to Pakistan, would again advise NZC.
Mills said an international team was a lot higher profile, and higher risk, than individuals touring and playing for domestic teams.
“Yes, absolutely we need to be looking at it and considering touring there [Pakistan] again, there’s no question about that, but as always we’re expressing caution: what does that involve, is it one or two games or is it a full tour, how many cities are involved and what is the risk in each place?
“There’s a whole list of questions to work our way through, as we do for anywhere we tour,” Mills said.
After the final tour of the home summer by Bangladesh in March, the Black Caps have no confirmed engagements until that Pakistan series.
Frontliners like Kane Williamson and Trent Boult will return to the Indian Premier League in April-May, and NZC is understood to be in talks with England about playing a two-test series there in June, if neither team makes the ICC Test Championship final scheduled for Lord’s that month.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...caps-tour-of-pakistan-their-first-in-18-years
