NZC ponder Pakistan visit for NZ
New Zealand Cricket are considering a request from Pakistan to send the Black Caps there for the first time in 15 years.
The Black Caps are scheduled to play Pakistan in three tests, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches, most likely in the United Arab Emirates, in November.
NZC chief executive David White confirmed they received a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman two weeks ago to play some T20 internationals in Pakistan.
‘‘Not the whole series, just a Real Madrid stayed on track for a third straight Champions League title after taking advantage of a couple of matches,’’ White told Stuff.
"We’re just completing due diligence, consulting security providers, the Government and the players. We’ll respond to Pakistan once we’ve completed that process, and we’ll let everyone know.’’
White said no one from NZC would be dispatched to Pakistan as part of the process.
‘‘We’ve got security providers that we use. It will be in-depth and we’ll get all the information we can to make an informed decision. It’s important we go in with an open mind.’’
New Zealand last toured Pakistan in 2003, a year after a bomb blast outside the Black major goalkeeping blunder by Sven Ulreich to see off Bayern Munich in the semifinals yesterday.
Madrid conceded early again but barely held on to draw 2-2 and Caps’ team hotel in Karachi ended their 2002 tour.
Pakistan’s home matches have been played in the UAE since 2009 after a terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore forced the side to head abroad. But in April, the nation hosted its first international cricket series in nine years when the West Indies visited for three T20 matches.
The location of November’s series has been speculated for months, as grounds in the UAE are said to be booked for a T20 tournament.
The PCB had looked at Malaysia as a potential alternative, but the UAE remains the likely venue for the series. win 4-3 on aggregate against Bayern to reach their third straight final.
Real Madrid will meet either Liverpool or Roma, who play this morning, in the final. England rugby greats Lawrence Dallaglio and Will Greenwood believe Kiwi Brad Shields is a leadership candidate for Eddie Jones’ team.
Wellington and Hurricanes loose forward Shields is in a tug o’ war between England and New Zealand over an early callup to Jones’ squad for their June tour of South Africa ahead of his shift to the London Wasps club after the Super Rugby season.
Dallaglio and Greenwood were part of England’s 2003 World Cupwinning side and the following year were captain and vicecaptain respectively for the Six Nations campaign.
They have no problems with Jones drafting in Shields and believe he will be ideal for a team that will head to South Africa for three tests against the Springboks without their regular skipper Dylan Hartley who is sidelined Sports
‘‘He will add to that leadership group as he has had the captain’s armband for his club, which is something England will benefit from, so I can see why Eddie wants him,’ Dallaglio said.
‘‘The sooner they can get him involved the better.’’
Shields has captained both Wellington and the Hurricanes with success.
Greenwood described the international environment as ‘‘dog eat dog’’ and England needed to maximise any advantages they could find with just ‘‘12 competitive matches to go till the World Cup’’ in Japan next year.