New Zealand team considering Pakistan tour

Cricket fans may see more international cricket in Pakistan, as New Zealand Cricket is considering a tour of the country after the request from Pakistan Cricket Board.

The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is carrying out 'due diligence' after a request to play a T20 game in Pakistan, where the team's hotel in Karachi was hit by a deadly suicide blast in 2002.

“At the moment, NZC is doing due diligence on the request and consulting with security providers, the government, and the players,” a spokesman told Radio New Zealand. “We will respond to the PCB when this process has been completed.”

Pakistan has to host Australia and New Zealand in October and November this year with the matches due to be played in the UAE. The PCB, however, has asked both teams to play the tours of T20 games in Pakistan, where international cricket is only now making a comeback after a long hiatus.

Cricket Australia rejects PCB’s request to play in Pakistan

Cricket Australia has already rejected the request, however, New Zealand Cricket is still considering it.

New Zealand last toured Pakistan in 2003, the year after a suicide bombing outside their Karachi hotel killed 15 people.

International fixtures have been slowly returning to Pakistan, with Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, a World XI and West Indies all visiting the country without incident.