Cricket: Pakistan to get some practice in with Auckland T20 game

Auckland fans will get an early look at Pakistan's tourists when the provincial team host a T20 game at Colin Maiden Park two days before Christmas.

Pakistan's international programme against New Zealand begins at Eden Park on Boxing Day with the first of three T20s. However, they were keen on a practice game and Auckland, coming to the business end of the domestic HRV Cup competition, agreed to the game.

Auckland have cup games against Canterbury on the same ground on December 21 and Northern Districts in Mt Maunganui on December 27, before the final round of matches two days later.

"It's nice for our guys to have a run against an international side," Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade said yesterday.

As the players will be playing T20 cricket only through the month of December, it was a straightforward decision when the chance came to host Pakistan.

"We weighed up the fact of another T20 game in the middle of the HRV Cup versus the fact it's a chance for players to play international opponents and it was a pretty easy choice."

There is no obligation on Auckland to field its strongest XI and coach Paul Strang might opt to rest any players he feels could benefit from it, especially if Auckland are in the frame to contest the January 2 final.

The game will start at 2pm and Eade is hoping for a good crowd.

Auckland last played Pakistan in a drawn three-day game at Eden Park in December 2003.