Pakistan to play 10 T20 matches against New Zealand

Lahore: Pakistan cricket team will play 10 T20 matches against New Zealand next year. The aim of these matches is to provide an opportunity for the Pakistan cricket team to prepare fully before the T20 World Cup (2024).

According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), both the boards agreed to hold 10 matches through mutual consultation. Out of these 10 matches, five will be played in New Zealand from January 12 to 21.

There will be matches in Auckland on June 12, Hamilton on June 14, Dunedin on June 17 and Christchurch on June 19 and 21.

While rest of the five matches will be played in Pakistan in April. According to PCB, the schedule of five matches to be held in Pakistan will be released later. Pakistan cricket team will reach New Zealand directly after playing the series in Australia.

PCB stated that after organizing additional matches against New Zealand, Pakistan cricket team will play 19 matches before the T20 World Cup in West Indies and US, including four against England, two against Ireland and three against the Netherlands.

According to PCB, minor changes have been made in the future tour program to ensure the holding of these additional T20 matches.

Pakistan scheduled two Tests against West Indies in February 2024 will now be held in January 2025, while the schedule of Pakistan's tour of New Zealand scheduled in 2025 has also been changed, told PCB.

Pakistan and New Zealand matches of January 2025 will now be held in April 2025. Pakistan has to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20Is against New Zealand in 2025.