New Zealand to compensate Pakistan for aborted tour in 2021

New Zealand have come to a agreement to compensate Pakistan for pulling out of a bilateral series last year. It involves New Zealand Cricket (NZC) paying an undisclosed amount to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as well as agreeing to play extra games when the two sides meet in Pakistan next year. New Zealand have also invited Pakistan to take part in a T20 tri-series at home ahead of the World Cup in Australia, which Pakistan have in principle accepted. That series is understood to include Bangladesh as the third team.

New Zealand pulled out of their scheduled white-ball tour of Pakistan minutes before the start of the first ODI of the tour, citing a "specific and credible" security threat. The PCB made their displeasure plain over the days that followed, and demanded financial recompense for broadcasting, logistics and security expenses incurred.

ESPNcricnfo understands the issue has been resolved although neither board has made any official public pronouncement on the matter.

New Zealand's pull-out citing security reasons last September was viewed as a major setback for Pakistan in their bid to ensure international cricket returns home. It was followed by England pulling out of a short tour the following month, though that decision generated significant blowback, both in Pakistan and beyond. Pakistan has since undone much of the damage those withdrawals caused, hosting West Indies in December, a full Pakistan Super League season as well as a historic all-format tour of Australia.

Pakistan are next due to host West Indies for the ODI leg of a bilateral tour that had to be postponed due to a Covid outbreak in the West Indies camp last December.