Pakistan will play four one-day internationals against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi and two Twenty20 matches in Dubai next month, an official said Monday. "We have held successful discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials and have planned four one-day matches in Abu Dhabi and two Twenty20 matches in Dubai," said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt.
A final programme will be released after confirmation from New Zealand Cricket (NZC), he added. New Zealand has refused to tour Pakistan following attacks on the Sri Lankan team's bus in the country's eastern city of Lahore last March. The International Cricket Council (ICC) relocated the upcoming eight-nation Champions Trophy to South Africa and stripped Pakistan of its share of World Cup matches after security fears aggravated in the wake of Lahore attacks.
Pakistan will also play three Tests against New Zealand in New Zealand in late November-December. Pakistan also played its home one-day series against Australia in the UAE in April-May but the expense forced the PCB to consider Malaysia as another option. Butt visited the UAE last week to smooth differences over the hosting fee demanded by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He also travelled to England to talk to England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke, who will lead a special ICC task force to Pakistan to explore ways to revive international cricket in the country.