Pak shifts NZ home series to neutral venue

Security concerns have forced Pakistan to shift another home series, this time against New Zealand, at a neutral venue. An official of the Pakistan Cricket Board told PTI that Pakistan would be playing three Tests and five one-day internationals against New Zealand at some neutral venues in October-November this year.

Security concerns have forced Pakistan to shift another home series, this time against New Zealand, at a neutral venue.

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An official of the Pakistan Cricket Board told PTI that Pakistan would be playing three Tests and five one-day internationals against New Zealand at some neutral venues in October-November this year.

"Several options have been discussed as neutral venues for these matches. There was also a proposal that Pakistan play this 'home' series in New Zealand but things didn't work out," the official said.

He said Pakistan could not split the Test and one-day series at different neutral venues and viable centres were being looked at the Gulf and also in east Asia.

"They were issues with broadcasting rights and sharing of revenues playing the series in New Zealand," the official said.

He also confirmed that Pakistan would play its delayed Test series against Australia next year in England.

The official said that the PCB was in the process of finalising venues for the series against New Zealand as it didn't have any matches lined up between the Champions Trophy and its tour to Australia from late December.

New Zealand has in the past refused to tour Pakistan because of security concerns.