New Zealand cricket team is scheduled to tour Pakistan for the second time to play five T20Is and as many ODIs. The matches will be held in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi from April 14 to May 7, 2023. However, the tour may coincide with the Indian Premier League (IPL) which starts on March 31 in Ahmedabad.
This clash may lead to the absence of the prime New Zealand squad for the tour. Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Devon Conway, and Mitchell Santner have already been released from the tour and allowed to participate in the IPL as per their wishes. This has left the fans disappointed since they were hoping to see a full-strength Kiwi squad in the matches.
Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Phillips will also join their respective IPL teams after the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Kylie Jamieson and Trent Boult are also likely to miss the Pakistan tour ahead of the IPL.
It is not the first time that the IPL has created a clash with international cricket tours. The lucrative league has often seen players prioritizing it over international fixtures. While the Kiwi players’ decision to participate in the IPL is understandable, their absence will certainly be felt by the team’s fans.
Despite the absence of some key players, the New Zealand cricket team will look to give a tough competition to Pakistan. The team has been performing well in recent times and will aim to continue their winning streak in the upcoming tour. The matches are expected to be closely contested, with both teams having a strong line-up.
The New Zealand cricket team is set to tour Pakistan for a series of T20Is and ODIs. However, the tour is likely to clash with the Indian Premier League, leading to the absence of some prime Kiwi players. Despite this setback, the team will look to perform well and give a tough competition to Pakistan in the upcoming matches.
