New Zealand announce first Pakistan tour in 18 years

The tour is set to start on 17 September with the first ODI in Rawalpindi, with subsequent ODIs to be played on 19 and 21 September.

The teams will then move to Lahore for the five-match T20I series, starting 25 September.

The New Zealand series will begin a long 2021-2022 home season for Pakistan – England will tour the country for a white-ball series after the Blackcaps followed by West Indies in December and Australia in February-March 2022.

"Series against a top-ranked side like New Zealand will be a perfect start to a mouth-watering and highly-exciting home season of red and white-ball cricket," said PCB chief executive Wasim Khan. "The 2019 World Cup finalists, who are also the World Test champions and ranked third in T20Is, will draw tremendous attraction and interest from the local fans, and will reinforce Pakistan's status as a safe and secure country."

"I am pleased New Zealand Cricket has accepted our offer to play two additional Twenty20 Internationals. These will not only provide extra games to both the countries as part of their ICC Men's T20 World Cup preparations but will also allow New Zealand players to spend extra days in Pakistan, familiarise with our culture and enjoy our hospitality."

New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive David White also expressed his happiness about the tour.

"We're very much looking forward to returning to Pakistan for the start of their home international season. New Zealand was the first country outside India to tour Pakistan and we share a close relationship with the PCB. It's great that, after such a difficult time for Pakistan, international cricket is again being played in the country."