New Zealand Cricket to send Jeff Crowe as envoy to Pakistan

The New Zealand Cricket Board has decided to send the CLEAR Black Caps team manager, Jeff Crowe, to Pakistan to investigate any issues which might hinder a proposed tour of Pakistan by the team in April and May 2002.

Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, Martin Snedden, said the Board has decided to accept an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board provided concerns about player safety can be satisfied.

The proposed tour would encompass two or three Tests and three One-Day Internationals to be played between late-April and mid-May 2002.

Snedden said: "New Zealand Cricket has received assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board and directly from the Pakistan Government that player safety will not be compromised while the team is in Pakistan. We believe it would also be sensible to send our own envoy to Pakistan to discuss security arrangements.

"Jeff Crowe will visit Pakistan immediately following The National Bank One-Day International Series between the CLEAR Black Caps and England, and before the first Test in The National Bank Series which begins on Wednesday 13 March at Christchurch.

"The New Zealand Cricket Board felt, in principle, that the stability of Pakistan as a nation has improved since the immediate aftermath of September 11 when the CLEAR Black Caps tour of Pakistan was cancelled. Should issues surrounding player safety be satisfactorily resolved the Board is keen for the CLEAR Black Caps to play Pakistan as soon as practical to ensure the credibility of the World Test Championship," Snedden said.