New Zealand players given freedom to opt between IPL and Pakistan tour in 2023

New Zealand cricketers have been given the freedom to either play for the country or to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. To note, the next edition of the IPL is expected to clash with New Zealand's tour of Pakistan.  

The Kiwi side is scheduled to visit Pakistan in two phases for playing all three formats of the game including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. The venues for the tour are Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.

The schedule for the tour was announced recently with the second leg of the tour slated to be played between April 13 and May 7. During the same period, the upcoming edition of IPL is also expected to get underway. Talking more on the same developments, NZC Chief David White has stated that it will be the players' call to either play for the country or move to the IPL.

As of our understanding, our full-strength side will go to Pakistan: New Zealand Cricket CEO David White

"As of our understanding, our full-strength side will go to Pakistan. I haven't talked to players and their association further in this regard," White said as quoted by India Today.

"But, players will be allowed to play in the IPL. They will be free to make a choice between the IPL and the Pakistan tour," he stated.

White also talked about the security situation in the Asian country and said that the New Zealand board is in constant touch with the government. 

"Our delegation visited Pakistan earlier this year. We are in contact with the embassy and our government about this tour," White added.

In 2021, the Blackcaps decided to pull out of their tour of Pakistan to play an ODI series citing security concerns. Both teams are currently participating in a tri-nation series with Bangladesh being the third team. 

Both New Zealand and Pakistan have faced each other twice in the tri-series. While Pakistan won the first round, the home team thrashed the Men in Green in their rematch. After completing the tri-series, both teams will head for the upcoming 2022 T20 World Cup slated to start on October 16.