Pakistan set to return to Middle East

Abu Dhabi is set to host four one-day internationals between Pakistan and New Zealand. The dates are still to be confirmed

Pakistan have decided to host their one-day international and Twenty20 series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Teams have refused to tour Pakistan because of safety concerns, and the country was stripped off its hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team in March.

The Black Caps were scheduled to tour Pakistan this year, but the Test series has been shifted to New Zealand.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt today announced: “The series between Pakistan and New Zealand will be held at two venues in the United Arab Emirates.

“The four one-dayers will be played in Abu Dhabi, while the two Twenty20 games will be held in Dubai.

“We have prepared an itinerary of the series which will be sent to New Zealand Cricket, and the final dates will be announced after their approval.”

The series is expected to take place between the Champions Trophy and the start of the Test series in mid-November.

Butt is also still hoping international cricket can return to Pakistan soon.

“I held positive talks with the England and Wales cricket authorities, and the series between Pakistan and Australia will be held there [in England] next year,” he confirmed.

“My meetings with ICC task force chief Giles Clarke, ICC chief David Morgan and Cricket Australia chief Jack Clarke ended on a positive note - and they assured me that international cricket activities in Pakistan may be revived soon.”