CLEAR Black Caps tour to Pakistan confirmed

The CLEAR Black Caps will tour Pakistan in April-May and play three One-Day Internationals and two Test matches.

The tour will immediately follow the Sharjah Cup tri-series involving New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka which is being played between 9 and 17 April.

New Zealand Cricket team manager Jeff Crowe last week visited Pakistan to check on preparations for the tour including security arrangements.

On advice from Crowe and other sources, including professional security advisors, New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden has given the go-ahead for the tour.

"It was always our intention to reschedule a tour to Pakistan if we could ascertain that the safety of our players was not in jeopardy and we could find time in our playing schedule to accommodate it. I'm delighted both of these criteria have been satisfied and I look forward to an exciting contest."

"I am satisfied from the reports that I have received that appropriate arrangements have been put in place by the Pakistan Cricket Board to ensure player safety and comfort," said Snedden.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has just confirmed the itinerary for the tour and all matches will be played between the three major city venues of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The CLEAR Black Caps match itinerary for the tour is:

April 18: Team arrive in Karachi
April 21: 1st One-Day International at Karachi (day/night)
April 24: 2nd One-Day International at Rawalpindi
April 27: 3rd One-Day International at Lahore
May 1 - 5: 1st Test at Lahore
May 8 - 12: 2nd Test at Karachi