Pakistan is reportedly set to host New Zealand in a five-match T20I series in April as part of their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and the Caribbean in June.
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in talks with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to finalise the dates and venues for the series with the window set to be from April 13 to 24.
The report also added that the PAK vs NZ series, being held in preparation for the T20 World Cup this year, would be probably staged in Lahore and Rawalpindi as Karachi would be hosting a series between the Pakistan and West Indies women’s teams around the same time.
Pakistan only last month played a five-match T20 series in New Zealand, which the home side won 4-1. New Zealand also travelled to Pakistan last year during the month of April for a five match series, which ended 2-2 after one match was abandoned due to rain.
If the series is officially confirmed, it will be interesting to see what kind of team New Zealand fields during the series as several top names will be involved in the IPL 2024. Pakistan, however, will have a full-strength squad.
After the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9, the Pakistan team is likely to be involved in a series of T20 matches against Afghanistan, New Zealand and England ahead of the World Cup in June in the USA and the West Indies.
While the Afghanistan and New Zealand matches are yet to be finalized, the England series dates are already out with the 4 T20Is set to be staged in May just days ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Pakistan in the last two years has been able to host a number of international teams, including top ranked sides like Australia, England and New Zealand. New Zealand has in fact toured Pakistan for three years in a row.
Pakistan T20I Schedule Before T20 World Cup 2024
- May 22: England vs Pakistan – 1st T20I – Headingley, Leeds
- May 25: England vs Pakistan – 2nd T20I – Edgbaston, Birmingham
- May 28: England vs Pakistan – 3rd T20I – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
- May 30: England vs Pakistan – 4th T20I – The Oval, London
As it stands, these are the only four matches in Pakistan’s schedule ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, where they will face arch-rivals India, USA, Canada and Ireland in the first round group stage. Here is Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule:
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Fixtures
- June 6: USA vs Pakistan – Grand Prairie, Texas
- June 9: India vs Pakistan – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
- June 11: Pakistan vs Canada – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
- June 16: Pakistan vs Ireland – Central Broward Park, Florida