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New Zealand Cricket remain open to the prospect of playing Pakistan on neutral territory late this year.
With their scheduled test and ODI tour in November-December having no chance of proceeding after the Lahore terrorist attack on Tuesday, NZC want to explore ways to make the series work, with matches in the United Arab Emirates the most logical alternative.
That's one reason NZC yesterday fell short of cancelling the series altogether in the wake of the attack on the Sri Lankan team, which left five players with injuries and several security personnel dead.
"We don't want to further inflame the hurt Pakistan cricket has suffered," NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said last night. "We need an opportunity to talk to Pakistan [officials], understand what their feelings are and figure out a solution.
"We want to play them, we haven't for a long time, and want to do what we can to support Pakistan cricket."
New Zealand last played a test in Pakistan in Karachi in May 2002; their most recent ODI there was at Rawalpindi in December 2003. Until Sri Lanka arrived last month, Pakistan had not hosted a test since 2007.
Australia have agreed to a five ODI-one Twenty20 series with Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi next month. That gives NZC the chance to assess the viability of playing in the UAE before making any decisions.
Abu Dhabi has hosted eight ODIs since 2006. Sharjah, half-an-hour down the road from Dubai, hosted four tests in 2002 and 196 ODIs between 1984 and 2003. New Zealand have been there 29 times and won only eight.
NZC will discuss with Australia how the series works out.
"If it's felt necessary to play at a neutral venue, then let's talk about that," Vaughan said. "We have the benefit of time on our side. But we understand and support our obligations in terms of playing Pakistan."
The 2011 World Cup is due to be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Vaughan expects meetings between those four, and in concert with the International Cricket Council to work out how to make the cup work.
New Zealand are down to co-host with Australia in 2015.
