ISLAMABAD: The New Zealand cricket team on Friday refused to go to the Rawalpindi stadium where they were to play the first one-day international against Pakistan, citing security concerns, two Pakistani officials said. Been trying to convince the team for hours, but it didn’t work.”
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Another Pakistani government official also told Reuters that the team was unwilling to enter the stadium on security grounds. New Zealand are touring Pakistan for the first time in 18 years to play three One Day Internationals and five Twenty20 matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
On the bus: first start #PAKvNZ The ODI has been delayed. Players and support staff have been asked to stay in their hotel rooms.
New Zealand cricket team has returned to Pakistan for the first time in 18 years. The Tom Latham-led side will play three ODIs and five T20Is against Pakistan from September 17 to October 3. Although the three ODIs would not be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, they would stand alone as three 50s. over the games. The following T20Is will serve as the perfect preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in Oman and UAE in October and November this year.
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Notably, three ODIs will be played in Rawalpindi on September 17, 19 and 21 respectively. The first ODI will be played on Friday 17 September at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. The game is scheduled to start at 03:00 PM (IST).
The Black Caps are closing in after suffering a 2-3 loss in the five-match T20I series against Bangladesh and will be aiming to do better against Babar Azam & Co due to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, some big Nam will not miss the Kiwis tour of Pakistan, however, a slightly younger and inexperienced side will present another challenge for the hosts.
On the other hand, Pakistan has also rested some players for the ODI series. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has selected a 20-man squad, which includes four potential debutants, for the ODI series and will aim to perform well on home soil. The home team lost their ODI and T20I series in England in July and the Men in Green will be eyeing a comeback.
(with Reuters)
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