The Pak vs NZ series is crucial for practice before the T20 World Cup: Wasim Khan

Pakistan Cricket Commission chief Wasim Khan said on Thursday that the upcoming series against New Zealand is crucial for the men’s green team before they enter the T20I World Cup.

In the video message, the CEO of PCB thanked the New Zealanders for accepting Pakistan’s offer to participate in three ODI and five T20I games-which means two additional short format games.

He said that New Zealand will visit Pakistan after an 18-year suspension, which is exciting news for the country.

“I am very happy that they accepted our offer to fight two more T20Is before the World Cup; this is for our team to have enough practice before entering the World Cup,” he said.

The CEO of PCB said that this is a busy time for the team and management. South Africa visited Pakistan in February, and then in the 2021-22 season, New Zealand and England have accepted it, the West Indies are ready to tour, and the Pakistan Premier League Will be held, and Australia will visit the country later.

“This is the busiest period in Pakistan’s cricket history,” he said.

“It’s one thing to improve your domestic cricket level. It’s another thing to give young people the opportunity to watch their heroes live. They will aspire to become cricket players. It’s another thing,” he said.

“They want to be the next Shaheen Shah Afridi and the next Babar Azam,” Khan said, and he hopes to get as many people into the stadium as possible in the upcoming tournament.

New Zealand’s participation in Pakistan

PCB announced New Zealand’s upcoming itinerary to Pakistan. The first ODI competition is scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi on September 17.

In the extended series, New Zealand will play three ODIs and five T20Is when visiting Pakistan for the first time since November 2003.

Both boards confirmed that these three ODIs will become part of the ODI of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Premier League.

According to a press release from PCB, Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Ground will be the venue for ODI on September 17, 19 and 21, and Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium will be held from September 25 to October 3. Five T20Is will be held during the day.

Both Pakistan and New Zealand will play an important role in the T20I series, as both teams hope to be ranked third in the ICC T20I team rankings.

New Zealand, the winner of the ICC World Test Championship, will return to Pakistan next year to participate in the test competition.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Chairman David White expressed his excitement about New Zealanders’ first visit to Pakistan in more than a decade.

“We are very much looking forward to returning to Pakistan to start the international season in their hometown.

“New Zealand is the first country outside of India to visit Pakistan, and we have a close relationship with PCB,” he said.

The New Zealand official added: “It’s great that international cricket is played again in Pakistan after such a difficult period.”

Activity schedule

September 11-Arrive in Islamabad

September 12-14-Room quarantine

September 15th to 16th-training/practice/team competition

September 17-The first ODI, Rawalpindi

September 19-The second ODI, Rawalpindi

September 21-The third ODI, Rawalpindi

September 25-1st T20I, Lahore

September 26-2nd T20I, Lahore

September 29th-The 3rd T20I, Lahore

October 1st-4th T20I, Lahore

October 3rd-5th T20I, Lahore