Yes, no, wait:

The chances of New Zealand Cricket ending a 15-year absence from Pakistan remain slim.

NZC’S board was scheduled to hear the latest independent security report from Pakistan this week as it considers an invitation for the Black Caps to play two Twenty20 internationals in the volatile nation later this year.

A decision is expected within a fortnight.

Chief executive David White and Cricket Players Association boss Heath Mills both confirmed there were ‘‘reservations’’ among the playing group on safety grounds but insist an open mind is being kept until the security report is presented.

It is being compiled by England’s long-time security consultant Reg Dickason, the Australian former detective who accompanied the Black Caps to Pakistan in May 2002, when a bomb blast outside their Karachi hotel cut short their tour, and again in December 2003 when they returned and played five oneday internationals without incident.

‘‘We’re confident in the security check process,’’ Mills said.

‘‘Some players are pretty ambivalent and happy to go if security says yes, others have expressed some concern and said ‘do we have to, can’t we just stay in Dubai’.’’

The Black Caps are scheduled to play three tests, three ODIS and three T20 internationals at Pakistan’s cricketing ‘‘home’’ in the United Arab Emirates in October and November.

Test cricket hasn’t been played in Pakistan since 2009 when gunmen attacked Sri Lanka’s team bus on the way to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Five security men were killed and seven players injured.

After an understrength West Indies jetted in to Karachi in April and played three T20s against Pakistan in as many days, the PCB invited NZC to send the Black Caps to play in front of the nation’s cricket-starved fans.

The tests, ODIS and one T20 would be played in the UAE and, under the proposal, it is understood the Black Caps would fly in and out for back-toback T20s in successive days in Pakistan.

The government’s safe travel website warns New Zealanders against all tourist and non-essential travel to Pakistan, rating it ‘‘high risk’’ due to the threat of terrorism, the risk of kidnapping, potential for civil unrest and the unpredictable security situation.

There are other factors making it difficult for NZC to accept Pakistan’s invitation.