LAHORE, — After coming in Pakistan for a series of three One-day Internationals and five Twenty20 matches against the hosts, the New Zealand cricket squad tested negative for coronavirus (COVID-19).
For the first time in 18 years, the New Zealand cricket team landed in Pakistan on Saturday. The squad arrived in Islamabad on a charted aircraft, and the Kiwi players were put to the test right away. The COVID-19 testing conducted on Saturday yielded negative findings for all Kiwi players (September 11).
The New Zealand squad will begin practising for the ODI series on Monday (September 13) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Meanwhile, national cricketers will return to action on Monday following a day off. At 4:30 p.m., both teams will have a training session.
On a chartered aeroplane, the New Zealand cricket team lands at Islamabad Airport. When the visitor team arrived, strict security preparations were arranged.
The Pakistani squad will play New Zealand in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty-20 Internationals (T20Is), with the first match set for September 17 and the final on October 3.
The Rawalpindi Stadium will host the ODI series against New Zealand, with matches planned for September 17, 19, and 21, while the Gaddafi Stadium will hold five T20 matches from September 25 to October 3.
The Black Caps are not at full strength, as they have travelled for both trips without Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, and Lockie Ferguson, who will all be playing in the IPL 2021 in the UAE in the second half. With Williamson out, New Zealand is led by Tom Latham.
For the matches against New Zealand, Pakistan had previously said that stadiums might be filled to up to 25% capacity. To attend games, spectators would need to be completely vaccinated. The three One-Day Internationals, all of which will be held at Rawalpindi, will each have a capacity of 4500 spectators. The five Twenty20 Internationals, which will all be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, will each have a capacity of 5500 people.
Match schedule
Sept 17 – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
Sept 19 – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
Sept 21 – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
Sept 25 – 1st T20I, Lahore
Sept 26 – 2nd T20I, Lahore
Sept 29 – 3rd T20I, Lahore
Oct 01 – 4th T20I, Lahore
Oct 03 – 5th T20I, Lahore