The New Zealand cricket authorities hope their national team will be able to tour Pakistan in 18 years.

New Zealand Cricket CEO David White said that if safety arrangements are met, the Black Hats will tour Pakistan before this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

White said the New Zealand board is in contact with the Pakistan Cricket Committee (PCB) and Pakistani government agencies.

“Everything goes well, to ensure that we meet all security arrangements, I believe we will do so, and we will visit Pakistan,” he said.

New Zealand is looking forward to playing a white ball series with Pakistan before the T20 World Cup. The series will prove beneficial for both parties to improve their T20 skills before the start of the global event in the UAE on October 17.

Pakistan plans to host England’s T20 series before the T20 World Cup in October 2021.

The schedule of the New Zealand cricket team is also very tight, because the Black Caps should tour India after the T20 World Cup. They defeated India in the final and then hosted Bangladesh and South Africa for more red-ball matches.

White confirmed that New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, Trent Bolt, James Nisham and Rock Ferguson will participate in the second stage of the UAE IPL 2021 before the T20 World Cup.