Cricket: Cheap NZ best option for Pakistan test series

The prospects of Pakistan playing test cricket in New Zealand at the end of this year have stepped up.

The chief executives of the two cricket boards, Ijaz Butt and Justin Vaughan, discussed the tour options while in Dubai for an International Cricket Council meeting last weekend.

New Zealand were scheduled to visit Pakistan for three tests and five ODIs in November and December. But that was counted out by the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore early last month.

The series is part of the Future Tours Programme and Vaughan said before the meeting that one option was Pakistan playing the test component of the series in New Zealand.

"We have discussed the series but have yet to reach a final decision on it," Butt said yesterday.

"At the moment, New Zealand are averse to touring Pakistan, so among the options available, the best is to play in New Zealand."

Vaughan was checking out facilities in Dubai while there, should Pakistan suggest playing the ODIs in the United Arab Emirates, just as Australia are doing in their forthcoming five-game contest, which also moved from Pakistan on security grounds.

Butt said playing in New Zealand had some advantages. Economically it would be more viable and "by playing in New Zealand we can save a lot of money on security arrangements and on various other things".

"If we play in New Zealand, the cost of security comes to zero and, further, the hotels are cheaper than in the UAE.

"And after playing in New Zealand, our team can move to Australia for another series," Butt said, referring to Pakistan's visit to Australia, which includes a test series starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

"Not playing at home is frustrating, but we have to give our players some cricket, wherever it may be."

Vaughan said New Zealand were "keen to host their series". Pakistan last played in New Zealand in the 2003-04 season when one test was drawn and Pakistan won the other.

Another possible option for the series was to play the tests in Malaysia, which hosted last year's under-19 World Cup.