AUCKLAND: New Zealand is set to mark the start of a busy home season with a series against West Indies in November and against Pakistan in December.
The international season in New Zealand will get underway with a three-match men’s T20I series against West Indies set to begin on 27th November at Eden Park, Auckland. Following the T20 matches, the sides will play two Tests as part of the ICC World Test Championship.
The series will be followed by visits from Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh. The series against Pakistan will also feature three T20Is, starting 18th December followed by two Test matches.
According to the schedule announced, Pakistan and New Zealand will play the first T20I on 18th December at Eden Park. The second T20I will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton on 20th December, while the third will be played at McLean Park, Napier on 22nd December.
Both sides will play a Boxing Day Test at Mount Maunganui while the second Test match will begin on 3rd January at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. New Zealand are placed fourth on the points table at present and will hope to utilise the home advantage to climb up the ranks.
Australia are expected to arrive in February for a five-match T20I series before Bangladesh round off the season with a tour in March. The final two tours are pending government approval but New Zealand Cricket CEO David White is confident of being granted the green light in due course.
With two ICC Men’s T20 World Cups scheduled in the next two years, the schedule prioritises the shortest format of the game. The upcoming schedule features ODI matches only against Bangladesh and the sides will then play three T20Is.
New Zealand will play the visiting England side in February and March. It is currently involved in a three-match T20I series in Australia that is followed by three ODIs.
Cricket Schedule vs Pakistan
18 December – 1st T20I, Eden Park, Auckland
20 December – 2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Hamilton
22 December – 3rd T20I, McLean Park, Napier
26 December-30 December – 1st Test, Bay Oval, Tauranga
3 January-7 January – 2nd Test, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
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