Pakistan to host New Zealand in Emirates for ODI series

Karachi:

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ejaz Butt has said that he had a constructive talk with the Emirates Cricket Board officials and the proposed ODI series against New Zealand would be held this year.

Butt, who is in London, told Geo Super that he would officially announce the venues for the series of four one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches on Monday after returning home.

"The venues, 90 per cent, would be Abu Dhabi and Dubai once again," Butt said.

New Zealand had refused to tour Pakistan for the scheduled series in October this year because of the volatile security situation in Pakistan.

However, they agreed on the suggestion to play the ODI matches at neutral venues and host the three Tests in New Zealand in November-December.

Pakistan had already played a one-day series with Australia in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in April-May this year. Butt visit to Emirates came after differences erupted over the hosting fees being demanded by the Abu Dhabi and Dubai cricket bodies.

After meeting with the Emirates board officials, Butt travelled to London where he held two rounds of talks with Giles Clarke who heads the Wales and English cricket Board and also leads the special task force of the International Cricket Council formed to explore possibilities for resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.

"I have had some constructive talks with Giles Clarke as well regarding our tour to England next year and also on matters pertaining to revival of international cricket in Pakistan," Butt said.

"We discussed three to four points but since these matter is confidential, I can't give out the details as yet," he added.

Sources close to Butt said that during the meeting, the possibility of convincing India to resume bilateral ties with Pakistan with a one-day series in England next year was also explored.