New Zealand agree to tour Pakistan

New Zealand will warm up for the Champions Trophy in September with a three-ODI series in Pakistan. New Zealand had been asked to extend their trip to five matches, after West Indies turned down Pakistan's offer to visit for three one-dayers as well, but decided on three.

"New Zealand will play three one-day matches in late August in Pakistan. The first match will be played at Multan on August 24 while the remaining two games will be played at Faisalabad on August 27 and 30," the Pakistan Cricket Board announced. New Zealand were not keen to return to Karachi, where a bomb exploded on their tour of Pakistan in 2002.

A New Zealand spokesperson told Cricinfo: "NZC has agreed to play three matches in Pakistan. With the Champions Trophy taking place we felt that was the right number in terms of our preparation."

It will be their first visit in five years, having played five one-dayers in Pakistan in 2003, and is still subject to security approval. "The security aspects will be worked through closer to the time," NZC confirmed.

The news is a further fillip for Pakistan following Australia's agreement, announced on Monday, to fulfill their obligations in Pakistan in a tour split into two legs over two visits in 2009 and 2010.

Australia had postponed their tour, originally scheduled for March and April, owing to security concerns arising from suicide bombings in Pakistan. The Champions Trophy is slated for Pakistan, but Sri Lanka are down as reserve hosts.

The West Indies board had declined Pakistan's offer as they are already committed to play some games in Canada in August.