LAHORE: The New Zealand cricket squad led by Tom Latham arrived in Lahore in the wee hours of Tuesday to play five T20 Internationals and as many One-day Internationals against Pakistan from April 14 to May 7.

After landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in the wee hours, the 15-member touring squad arrived at its hotel under strict security.

The tourists, who left Queenstown on Sunday, reached Lahore via Dubai, will rest till Wednesday before having their first net practice session and pre-match media talk on Thursday.

Lahore will host the first three T20s till April 17 and then Rawalpindi will stage the remaining two T20s and the first ODI from April 20 to 26.

In the last leg, the action shifts to Karachi which will host four ODIs from April 30 to May 7.

Meanwhile, New Zealand team’s media manager Willy Nichols released a video of all-rounder Daryl Mitchell soon after the team arrived at the hotel.

“Pakistan are a world-class team [but] our team is upbeat about the series and waiting to face them,” Mitchell said in the video.

“The playing conditions in Pakistan are quite different from New Zealand’s and this is a challenge [for New Zealand team] on the 26-day tour.

“Our team comprises some young players and overall they will get useful experience from the upcoming series,” he added.

Prior to their upcoming series in Pakistan, New Zealand at home convincingly beat Sri Lanka in all three formats, sweeping the Test series 2-0, winning a three-match ODI series 2-0 while bagging a three-game T20 series 2-0.

Mitchell said the victory against a full-strength Sri Lanka side at home was a massive boost before the Pakistan series.

On the other hand, a full-strength Pakistan side have reassembled after their recent 2-1 T20 series loss to Afghanistan in Sharjah where the Shadab Khan-led side had several youngsters. However, now Pakistan under the leadership of Babar Azam are ready to face the Black Caps.

BRADBURN ARRIVES

Meanwhile, Grant Bradburn, Pakistan’s newly-appointed head coach, also arrived in Lahore.

Recently-appointed batting coach Andrew Puttik had arrived in the provincial capital on Monday. Physio Cliffe Deacon and strength and conditioning coach Drikus Saaimon are also in the city.

Upon Bradburn’s arrival, PCB’s media department released his statement.

“Wonderful to be back and really, nice to have such a warm welcome. It’s an honour to be back and serving Pakistan,” the New Zealander said.

“I first arrived in Pakistan in 1990 with the [then] New Zealand team and then had three wonderful years working with the team and all the coaches in Pakistan during 2019-21.

“And it’s an honour and a real honour and a privilege to be serving Pakistan again. So, wonderful opportunity, really looking forward to working alongside Mickey Arthur and also the players and staff of this team.”

Consultant team director coaches Mickey Arthur is yet to join the task. However, he will remain in contact with Bradburn during the series.

He is expected to arrive in Pakistan on April 17.

New Zealand squad:

Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young

Series schedule:

April 14: First T20, Lahore

April 15: Second T20, Lahore

April 17: Third T20, Lahore

April 20: Fourth T20, Rawalpindi

April 24: Fifth T20I, Rawalpindi

April 26: First ODI, Rawalpindi

April 30: Second ODI, Karachi

May 3: Third ODI, Karachi

May 5: Fourth ODI, Karachi

May 7: Fifth ODI, Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2023