New Zealand to tour Pakistan

New Zealand will tour Pakistan for three One Day Internationals later this year, a senior Pakistan Cricket Board official was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Chief Operating Officer of the PCB, Shafqat Naghmi told reporters that prior to the ICC Champions Trophy New Zealand will come to Pakistan to play a short series.

"They have confirmed they want to play the three games but they want to do it closer to the Champions Trophy so an itinerary is now being worked out," Naghmi was quoted as saying.

Pakistan who will be hosting the Champions Trophy later this year invited New Zealand as a part of their efforts to arrange international matches in Pakistan following Australia’s decision to postpone their tour to Pakistan in March-April this year for security reasons.

"We wanted New Zealand to play five matches but they have agreed on three due to the hectic Champions Trophy schedule," said Naghmi.

He also added that Pakistan invited the West Indies to play a One Day International series against them in August but they declined because of prior commitments made in Canada.